Macdonald-Cartier Bridge, Road bridge between Ottawa and Gatineau, Canada.
The Macdonald-Cartier Bridge is a road bridge spanning 618 m across the Ottawa River with six traffic lanes and pedestrian walkways on each side. It connects King Edward Avenue in Ottawa with Highway 5 in Gatineau and carries substantial daily traffic between the two cities.
Construction of this interprovincial bridge began in 1963 and was completed with official opening ceremonies in 1965. It was built to address growing transportation needs between Ottawa and Gatineau.
The bridge's name honors two major Canadian political figures: John A. Macdonald from Ontario and George-Étienne Cartier from Quebec. It symbolizes the partnership between the two provinces that cross it daily.
The bridge experiences heavy traffic during rush hours, particularly in the morning and evening when commuters cross between the two cities. Pedestrians and cyclists can use the dedicated pathways, though regular maintenance work may affect access from time to time.
The bridge undergoes regular steel reinforcement and deck rehabilitation projects to maintain its condition. These ongoing works highlight how critical this infrastructure remains for daily operations between the provinces.
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