Pedestrian bridge near Carleton finally opens — and then closes just as quickly

A bridge over the Rideau River that briefly opened this week is once again closed to the public — and it might stay that way until work on the north-south line of Ottawa's light rail network is complete.

The pedestrian bridge was first erected in July 2022 and connects Carleton University to Vincent Massey Park.

It's the only crossing in the area, with the closest other options either Bronson Avenue or Heron Road..

The bridge has remained off limits since it was installed, with barricades at either entrance.

Or at least it was, until those barricades were unexpectedly removed earlier this week and people quickly began crossing on foot or by bike.

But the freedom didn't last long.

The barricades were quickly replaced, closing the bridge to any kind of traffic until further notice.

Barriers 'mistakenly' taken down

In a statement, city officials explained that the bridge is under the control of TransitNEXT, which is currently building the expanded Trillium Line, and there is still work to be done on the crossing, including surface treatment.

"The barriers were reinstated yesterday after they were mistakenly removed by the contractor," wrote public information officer Katrina Camposarcone-Stubbs.

"It is unsafe to cross the bridge at this time."

City staff have been working with the contractor to "close out the remaining construction activities and finalize an opening timeline," she added.

It's a frustrating message for people who've waited years for it to open, especially those who found it perfectly crossable earlier this week.

"I don't really see a good reason to keep the barricades there if people can walk on it safely. It's not endangering anybody," said Carleton University student Lily McCubbin, who was hoping to be able to use the bridge to get to class.

Opening linked to long-delayed Trillium Line

River ward Coun. Riley Brockington said it's the contract with TransitNEXT that's responsible for keeping the crossing closed. 

"The bridge does not have to open until the Trillium Line opens," he said. "And because we've had so many delays to the Trillium Line, well then, this bridge doesn't get the priority that it needed."

The north-south line was initially set to reopen in 2022, but it's now expected that won't happen until sometime between July and September of this year.

Brockington said future contracts should ensure pedestrian infrastructure projects don't get delayed because rail line timelines get pushed back.

"Why would we wait until the Trillium Line opens?" he asked. "That is completely not acceptable. We want to see this bridge open."

Ottawa Morning3:03Pedestrian bridge near Carleton finally opens — then closes just as quickly

The city says the construction was not finished and the barriers were mistakenly removed. River Coun. Riley Brockington explains the need for the footbridge to open.