Plaza Bridge, Road and pedestrian bridge in Ottawa, Canada

The Plaza Bridge is a stone arch bridge in downtown Ottawa that spans the Rideau Canal and connects Wellington Street and Elgin Street to Rideau Street. The structure features three masonry arches, with the middle section crossing the canal, the western portion spanning a roadway, and the eastern part covering a former rail tunnel.

The Plaza Bridge was completed in 1912, replacing the Sappers Bridge built in 1827 and the Dufferin Bridge constructed in the 1870s. Each replacement reflected changing transportation needs as the city's downtown core grew and developed.

A memorial commemorating the original Sappers Bridge stands near the current structure, honoring the contributions of Canadian military engineers through generations.

The bridge is straightforward to cross on foot and provides easy access across the canal in the downtown area. Steps lead directly down to the canal's edge, allowing quick access to the waterway for exploration or recreation.

The 1990s renovation added a staircase down to the canal in the gap between the lines of the former Sappers and Dufferin bridges. The Sappers' Bridge memorial nearby, erected by the Canadian Military Engineer Centennial 1903-2003 Committee and the National Capital Commission, was unveiled on April 29, 2004.