Yes, it is frustrating to get to this bridge from the Island Park Driveway in Ottawa or from Aylmer Road.
There are 3 lanes of traffic on Champlain bridge. The western lane crosses from Quebec to Ontario. The eastern lane crosses from Ontario to Quebec. And the middle lane alternates direction according to traffic: Observe the traffic lights to know if you can use the middle lane.
From the Québec side of the bridge it is 87 km to the next western bridge in Portage-du-Fort, but 106 km to the same bridge on the Ontario side. There is a ferry in Quyon which could be used if all 5 Ottawa-Gatineau bridges were to be unavailable. This could be the departure point for an interesting 200 km circuit.
Vistas from the bridge are lovely any time of year, when the water cascades in the Rémic falls in the spring, when you see Parliament at sunset and when the water is frozen.
Near the bridge, on the Québec side, you can observe Stromatolites, whereas on the Ontario side there is a geode-like sculpture to commemorate Fallen Diplomats. There are off-ramps to visit Bates Island.
Because there are sidewalks on both sides of the bridge and cycling trails, you can do a circuit from on both sides of the river by using the Chaudière or...
Read moreThe bridge and Scenery is beautiful! However this bridge is a worst connecting point due to heavy congestion.
Only in Gatineau one when driving from west or north west part of gatineau, have to drive east to get to Champlain bridge and then back on parkway to get to ottawa west. What a waste of time and gas.
It is about time that Gatineau and NCC consider a 6th bridge - opening toward Moodie drive. When this is done- it will substantially reduce congestion on Champlain bridge.
Residents of all of Aylmer, Chelsea, Plateau etc….. they all currently have to drive all the way to east till Champlain bridge and then sit on the bridge congestion and then drive again backward on parkway and then finally get to Ottawa west.
If the 6th bridge can be opened then it will also bring a lot of traffic from Ottawa west to gatineau, this leading to an expansion of nature and business ( $$$$ spending) activities in Gatineau.
If someone start the petition- i will support and am sure many residents will.
Population of gatineau keeps growing with many purchasing or renting realty, however no changes have been made to existing infrastructure. I wonder for how many more years we...
Read moreHeaven help the politicians who get influenced by the deep pockets of lobbyists. They had the opportunity to to do something right but instead listened to the "advice", read lobby of the wealthy, and came up with this crockup. You need at least 3 to 4 eyes: cyclists (some who believe 2 abreast is a great idea with these narrow lanes) plus drivers swooping in from the left lane to turn right at the last minute while there is a cyclist on the inside. At least an accident bi-weekly guaranteed....
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