Chaudière Crossing
Learn more about this important crossing that links communities from both sides of the Ottawa River, as well as the rehabilitation projects currently underway.
On this page
- About the Chaudière Crossing
- Chaudière Crossing structures
- History of the crossing
- Current projects
- Related links
About the Chaudière Crossing
For nearly 200 years, the Chaudière Crossing has remained a critical link between Ottawa and Gatineau. It accommodates more than 15,000 vehicles every day and serves as one of the 2 available interprovincial truck routes in the National Capital Region (NCR).
The Chaudière Crossing passes over the Ottawa River and several hydroelectric waterways. It unites the cities of Gatineau, Quebec, and Ottawa, Ontario. This crossing links Eddy Street, in Gatineau, to Booth Street, in Ottawa.
Chaudière Crossing structures
The Chaudière Crossing is a complex structure consisting of 8 parts:
- Bronson Channel Bridge
- Ottawa Hydro Electric Power Commission Channel Bridge
- Buchanan Channel Culvert
- Union Bridge
- Arch No. 1
- Arch No. 3 (closed since 2017)
- Hull Trestle (closed since 2017)
- Hull Causeway Bridge
All the water in the Ottawa River flows under these 8 structures of the crossing and through a variety of waterways intended to harness the hydroelectric power of the river.
History of the crossing
- 1828: Opening of the Chaudière Crossing to the public for the first time
- 1909: Construction of the Chaudière Ring Dam
- 1919: Replacement of the Union Bridge structure with the through-truss structure
- 1956: Construction of the Hull Causeway Bridge
- 1968: Replacement of Bronson Channel Bridge
- 1978: Widening of the Bronson Channel Bridge
- 1978: Replacement of the Ottawa Hydro Electric Power Commission Channel Bridge
- 1978: Replacement of the Buchanan Channel Bridge by with a culvert
- 1994: Rehabilitation of the Bronson Channel Bridge
- 2011: Rehabilitation of Arch No. 1, Arch No. 3, and the Buchanan Channel Culvert
- 2014: Rehabilitation of the Ottawa Hydro Electric Power Commission Channel Bridge
- 2017: Full closure of Arch No. 3 and the Hull Trestle to traffic and active transportation
- 2024: Rehabilitation of the Union Bridge and widening of the Hull Causeway Bridge
Current projects
Inspections and studies have determined that certain structures of the Chaudière Crossing need work to keep the crossing safe for users.
These projects fit into a broader effort to improve interprovincial transportation in the NCR. Protecting the structures and improving the condition of the crossing will help ensure it remains in service for as long as possible.
Southern Structures Renewal Project
This project currently includes:
- the replacement of the Bronson Channel Bridge
- the superstructure replacement and the substructure rehabilitation of the Ottawa Hydro Electric Power Commission Channel Bridge
- the rehabilitation of the Buchanan Channel Culvert span
Construction is underway and will continue into summer 2028.
Chaudière Crossing: Southern Structures Renewal Project
Photo gallery
Related links
- Government of Canada continues to improve crossings in National Capital Region
- Bridges and crossings in the National Capital Region
- Lane reductions and closures on interprovincial bridges in the National Capital Region
- Directory of Federal Real Property: Chaudière Crossing (Quebec side)
- Directory of Federal Real Property: Chaudière Crossing (Ontario side)