Ottawa River bridge plan divides east end

East end Ottawa residents say they'll make the debate over where to locate a new interprovincial bridge an election issue this fall.

The National Capital Commission is looking at three potential sites for the sixth bridge across the Ottawa River, one crossing over Kettle Island — the preferred choice for the city — and the other two near Lower Duck Island and McLaurin Bay.

The battle over where to establish the bridge has been raging for years and won't be resolved until the commission makes its choice in 2014. But the upcoming municipal election is giving local groups a chance to make their concerns heard again.

Residents in the Orleans area whose houses are close to one of the potential major thoroughfares appeared at Ottawa City Hall on Tuesday evening for one of two town hall meetings to discuss the potential locations.

Judy Lishman, whose home backs onto Aviation Parkway, was one of many people fighting against the Kettle Island Bridge option.

"This has been a political issue at the municipal level, at the provincial level and at the federal level," she said.

"And whenever there's an election and this issue is on the table, our community makes it an issue for the election."

Fred Sherwin, the editor and publisher of Orleans Online, said he plans to run against Bob Monette in Ward 1 and fight for residents opposed to the Greenbelt options, particularly the McLaurin Bay corridor.

"I think anyone with a family and with a home can appreciate what the potential impact of four lanes of traffic and a bridge would have on your back yard, right?" he said.

Among mayoral candiates, Alex Cullen has supported the Kettle Island option.

Bridge needed to reduce downtown congestion

The NCC, which manages federal lands and buildings in Ottawa-Gatineau, reconfirmed in 2009 that Kettle Island is the preferred site for the new Ottawa River crossing, based on the first phase of its environmental assessment study.

A number of east-end politicians have also backed the Kettle Island option of the three, saying it would disrupt local traffic the least.

The NCC is hoping the new 1.5-kilometre bridge can reduce truck traffic and congestion on King Edward Avenue and the surrounding areas of downtown Ottawa caused by transport vehicles crossing from Quebec to Ontario via the centrally located MacDonald-Cartier Bridge.

It will cost an estimated $400 million to $500 million to build.

Another public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday evening across the river in Gatineau, Que.