Ottawa may favour a southern ring road over the proposed sixth interprovincial bridge. Councillor’s motion garners support at city committee.
Councillor Recommends Southern Bypass for Ottawa Traffic
A debate on Ottawa’s transportation future reignited Thursday when Beacon Hill-Cyrville Councillor Tim Tierney proposed building a southern ring road instead of a sixth interprovincial bridge. The idea was raised during a city committee meeting reviewing the draft Transportation Master Plan, which outlines major infrastructure goals for the coming decades.
Motion Approved to Explore Ring Road Alternative
Tierney’s motion called for a “full and fair evaluation” of a ring road to divert truck and through-traffic away from Highway 417 and the downtown core. The motion passed 9–2 at the public works and infrastructure committee meeting and now proceeds to Ottawa City Council for a final vote. Tierney emphasized the need to alleviate congestion and to prioritize long-term regional connectivity over costly interprovincial infrastructure.
Bridge Proposal Sparks Opposition Over Traffic Impact
In January, the federal government pledged to fund a sixth bridge over the Ottawa River, to be built at Kettle Island. The proposal would direct truck traffic down the Aviation Parkway — a route that passes through Tierney’s ward. “We’re not interested in a $3-billion bridge that worsens congestion in our own neighbourhoods,” said Tierney. “A ring road solves the bigger issue.”
Councillors Split on Long-Term Strategy
The ring road plan found support among councillors like Laura Dudas (Orléans West-Innes), who said the burden of funding such a large project must fall to higher levels of government. “It’s viable and deserves review,” she said. However, Somerset Councillor Ariel Troster pushed back, warning that both proposals reinforce car dependency and undermine the city’s transit-first goals.
City’s $7.3B Transportation Plan Moves Ahead
Although Tierney’s motion was approved, the ring road will not be added to the city’s transportation master plan at this stage. The 2046 plan includes $4.5 billion in transit and $2.8 billion in road projects — though staff admit much of it may be unaffordable without external funding. Priority projects include the Barrhaven and Kanata LRT extensions, and transit corridors in Orléans and along Baseline Road.
Committee Adjusts Funding Priorities for Key Projects
In addition to Tierney’s motion, councillors approved tweaks to the list of transportation priorities. Barrhaven East Councillor Wilson Lo succeeded in reallocating planned widening on Prince of Wales Drive. However, his attempt to revisit a previously abandoned LRT alignment through Manor Village and Cheryl Gardens — which could displace residents — was voted down 4–7.
What’s Next for Ottawa’s Growing Gridlock?
While not yet formal policy, Tierney’s motion signals growing interest in alternatives to downtown-centric transportation. Provincial support for the ring road was noted in Ontario’s 2022 regional plan, and city leaders may now push for federal involvement. As Ottawa prepares for continued population growth, the decision between expanding car infrastructure or boosting transit remains at the forefront of public debate.
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