Supporting nation-to-nation Indigenous engagement
Arup, as part of the integrated project team, is striving to deliver a bridge design that is informed by input from Indigenous communities, the public, partners, stakeholders, and independent advisors. By incorporating Indigenous and community perspectives in the initial stages of the project and throughout, the project team and Arup are supporting nation-to-nation Indigenous engagement, bringing Indigenous communities and organizations into the planning and design phase. Workshops and site visits have served as a useful forum for listening to Indigenous views, so that they can be woven into the emerging design.
Following extensive consultation with Indigenous communities, the public, stakeholders, and advice from expert panels, the NCC Board of Directors has granted an initial Federal Land Use and Design Approval for the in February 2025.
We are rising to the challenge of not only ensuring that the new bridge respects the river and the landscape in and on which it will be built, but also serves as a unifying symbol for all of Canada’s peoples while allowing users and visitors to experience the great river that flows through the Ottawa-Gatineau area.
Responsive to practical needs and true to structural demands
Bridges are feats of engineering, and Arup is a firm believer that bridges should be both responsive to practical needs and true to structural demands. At the same time, focusing on architecture and attention to detail help to elevate what might be an ordinary structure to something extraordinary.
By working hand in glove with our architectural, engineering and heritage partners, our bridge designers are striving to deliver a bridge that delights Canadians and is as well-loved as its predecessor.
A design to support multiple modes of transportation
Arup is advising on the planning and design for the bridge that supports multiple modes of transportation. The bridge will prioritize the safety and active mobility of pedestrians, cyclists, and users of other mobility devices with opportunities to rest while contemplating the river and observe the city landmarks along the way. A portion of the bridge deck will be designed to allow for future rail-based transit, such as a tramway.