Deputy Mayor Steve Desroches says that after this weekend he’ll no longer be the only city councillor who had to leave his ward to get from one end to the other.
Nearly two decades after it was first proposed, and two years after its expected completion day, the Strandherd-Armstrong bridge will finally connect Barrhaven to Riverside South, he said.
The $48-million bridge, which connects Strandherd Drive to Earl Armstrong Road, will officially open Saturday at 1 p.m.
A ceremony on the bridge’s east side at 1:15 p.m. will be led by Desroches and Mayor Jim Watson.
Desroches said he’s going to find himself in an odd position now, since pushing for the bridge has been a major part of his work since he was elected in 2006.
“I’m very relieved that I’m changing gears on this project,” he said. “I’m thrilled that we’re at this point.”
He said it will bring many new opportunities to residents, not just for commuting but for shopping and recreation.
“I think residents are going to get the opportunity to really appreciate the Rideau River,” he said, adding the vistas sidewalks offer to pedestrians are “remarkable.”
Watson had said late in June that only final tests and minor landscaping work were left to be done before the bridge could open.
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It will be a third option to cross the Rideau River in the south end of the city and should improve traffic conditions on other bridges.
The bridge has four lanes for regular traffic, two additional turning lanes and two lanes for public transit. It also features on-road bike lanes and sidewalks on both sides.
The official opening ceremony Saturday is open to the public. For those who want to take a look without making their way to the site, the city is operating a live webcam showing the bridge’s progress.
