List of bridges in Ottawa facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, is home to many important bridges. These bridges help people and vehicles cross rivers and canals, connecting different parts of the city and even linking Ottawa with Gatineau in Quebec. This article lists some of the main bridges in Ottawa, starting from the west and moving east, then from north to south. It focuses on bridges that cross the Ottawa River, Rideau River, Rideau Canal, Patterson Creek, and Nepean Inlet.

Bridges Over the Ottawa River
Bridges Over the Rideau River
Bridges Over the Rideau Canal
Bridges Over Patterson Creek
Bridges Over Nepean Inlet
See also

Bridges Over the Ottawa River

These bridges connect Ottawa, Ontario, with Gatineau, Quebec, across the mighty Ottawa River.

Bridge	Carries	Length	Built	Location	Image	What's Special
Morris Island Train Bridge	Pedestrian pathway	498 m	1915	45°27′59.26″N 76°17′10.57″W / 45.4664611°N 76.2862694°W / 45.4664611; -76.2862694		This bridge used to carry trains from 1915 to 2008. It was changed into a path for walking and biking in 2014. In 2022, it was made ready for snowmobiles too!
Champlain Bridge	Place Samuel-De Champlain Island Park Drive	1010 m	1928	45°24′35.5″N 75°45′34.7″W / 45.409861°N 75.759639°W / 45.409861; -75.759639	The Champlain Bridge	This is the longest bridge in Ottawa. It crosses three islands: Bate, Cunningham, and Riopelle.
Lemieux Island Bridge	Onigam Street	215 m	1919	45°24′50.1″N 75°43′52.23″W / 45.413917°N 75.7311750°W / 45.413917; -75.7311750	The Lemieux Island Bridge	This bridge crosses Bell Island.
Chief William Commanda Bridge	Pedestrian pathway	992 m	1880	45°24′46.28″N 75°43′33.76″W / 45.4128556°N 75.7260444°W / 45.4128556; -75.7260444	The Chief William Commanda Bridge	This bridge crosses Lemieux Island. It used to carry trains from 1880 to 2005. It was changed into a path for walking and biking in 2023.
Chaudière Bridge	Chaudière Crossing	99 m	1919	45°25′16″N 75°43′07″W / 45.42111°N 75.71861°W / 45.42111; -75.71861	The Chaudière Bridge	This is where the very first bridge connecting Ottawa and Gatineau was built.
Portage Bridge		700 m	1973	45°25′20″N 75°42′49″W / 45.42222°N 75.71361°W / 45.42222; -75.71361	The Portage Bridge	This bridge crosses Victoria Island.
Alexandra Bridge		563 m	1900	45°25′47.81″N 75°42′13.54″W / 45.4299472°N 75.7037611°W / 45.4299472; -75.7037611	The Alexandra Bridge	This bridge used to carry trains from 1900 to 1966.
Macdonald-Cartier Bridge	Autoroute 5	618 m	1963	45°26′12″N 75°42′9″W / 45.43667°N 75.70250°W / 45.43667; -75.70250	The Macdonald-Cartier Bridge

Bridges Over the Rideau River

The Rideau River flows through Ottawa and is part of the historic Rideau Canal system. Many bridges help people cross it.

Bridge	Carries	Length	Built	Location	Image	What's Special
Bytown Bridge (West Bridge)	Sussex Drive	70 m	2005	45°26′21.88″N 75°41′45.51″W / 45.4394111°N 75.6959750°W / 45.4394111; -75.6959750		This bridge replaced an older one built in 1954.
Bytown Bridge (East Bridge)	Sussex Drive	84 m	2005	45°26′28.23″N 75°41′41.31″W / 45.4411750°N 75.6948083°W / 45.4411750; -75.6948083	The Bytown Bridge (East)	This bridge also replaced an older one built in 1954.
Minto Bridge (West Bridge)	Union Street	61 m	1900	45°26′17.68″N 75°41′35.42″W / 45.4382444°N 75.6931722°W / 45.4382444; -75.6931722	The Minto Bridge (West)
Minto Bridge (East Bridge)	Union Street	112 m	1900	45°26′22.93″N 75°41′31.84″W / 45.4397028°N 75.6921778°W / 45.4397028; -75.6921778	The Minto Bridge (East)	This bridge crosses Maple Island.
	Island Lodge Road	92 m	1964	45°26′12.52″N 75°40′55.62″W / 45.4368111°N 75.6821167°W / 45.4368111; -75.6821167
Porter Island Bridge	Pedestrian pathway (closed)	78 m	1894	45°26′12.4″N 75°40′50.48″W / 45.436778°N 75.6806889°W / 45.436778; -75.6806889
St. Patrick Street Bridge	St. Patrick Street	163 m	1975	45°26′15.03″N 75°40′43.08″W / 45.4375083°N 75.6786333°W / 45.4375083; -75.6786333
Cummings Bridge	Rideau Street	213 m	1921	45°25′59.58″N 75°40′16.59″W / 45.4332167°N 75.6712750°W / 45.4332167; -75.6712750	The Cummings Bridge
Adàwe Crossing	Pedestrian pathway	125 m	2015	45°25′34.85″N 75°40′12.51″W / 45.4263472°N 75.6701417°W / 45.4263472; -75.6701417	The Adàwe Crossing
Provincial Constable J. Robert Maki Bridge	Highway 417	159 m	1955	45°25′1.19″N 75°39′46.48″W / 45.4169972°N 75.6629111°W / 45.4169972; -75.6629111
Rideau River Pedestrian/Cycling Bridge	Pedestrian pathway	160 m	1909	45°24′58.86″N 75°39′46.38″W / 45.4163500°N 75.6628833°W / 45.4163500; -75.6628833		This bridge used to carry trains from 1909 to 1966. It was changed into a path for walking and biking in 1970.
Hurdman Bridge	Confederation Line	159 m	1983	45°24′51.18″N 75°40′7.05″W / 45.4142167°N 75.6686250°W / 45.4142167; -75.6686250	The Hurdman Bridge	This bridge originally carried the Transitway, a special bus route.
George McIlraith Bridge	Smyth Road	240 m	1965	45°23′58.69″N 75°40′15.3″W / 45.3996361°N 75.670917°W / 45.3996361; -75.670917	The George McIlraith Bridge
Billings Bridge	Bank Street	140 m	1916	45°23′21.41″N 75°40′40.53″W / 45.3892806°N 75.6779250°W / 45.3892806; -75.6779250	The Billings Bridge
George Dunbar Bridge	Bronson Avenue	268 m	1996	45°22′59.79″N 75°41′19.56″W / 45.3832750°N 75.6887667°W / 45.3832750; -75.6887667	The George Dunbar Bridge	This bridge replaced an older one built in 1955.
Rideau River Bridge	Trillium Line	100 m	1914	45°22′55.03″N 75°41′41.81″W / 45.3819528°N 75.6949472°W / 45.3819528; -75.6949472	The Trillium Line Bridge	This bridge used to carry trains from 1914 to 2001.
Heron Road Workers Memorial Bridge	Heron Road	276 m	1967	45°22′33.01″N 75°41′59.54″W / 45.3758361°N 75.6998722°W / 45.3758361; -75.6998722	The Heron Road Workers Memorial Bridge	This bridge also crosses the Rideau Canal.
Hog's Back Fixed Bridge	Hog's Back Road	69 m	1977	45°22′14.94″N 75°41′47.42″W / 45.3708167°N 75.6965056°W / 45.3708167; -75.6965056
Canadian Northern Ontario Railway Bridge	Canadian National Railway	138 m	1913	45°20′44.39″N 75°41′52.09″W / 45.3456639°N 75.6978028°W / 45.3456639; -75.6978028	The Canadian Northern Ontario Railway Bridge	This bridge used to carry trains from 1913 to 1923.
Michael J. E. Sheflin Bridge	Hunt Club Road	230 m	1985	45°20′2.86″N 75°41′46.51″W / 45.3341278°N 75.6962528°W / 45.3341278; -75.6962528	The Michael J. E. Sheflin Bridge
Vimy Memorial Bridge	Strandherd Drive	144 m	2014	45°16′11.89″N 75°42′9.34″W / 45.2699694°N 75.7025944°W / 45.2699694; -75.7025944	The Vimy Memorial Bridge
	Nicolls Island Road	22 m	1903	45°15′1.95″N 75°42′7.08″W / 45.2505417°N 75.7019667°W / 45.2505417; -75.7019667		The structure of this bridge was moved to Nicolls Island in 1935. It used to cross the Rideau Canal.
Long Island Dam	Cecil Rowat Lane	48 m	1920	45°14′56.94″N 75°42′11.52″W / 45.2491500°N 75.7032000°W / 45.2491500; -75.7032000
Bridge Street (West Bridge)	Bridge Street	85 m	1956	45°13′41.57″N 75°41′1.07″W / 45.2282139°N 75.6836306°W / 45.2282139; -75.6836306
Bridge Street (East Bridge)	Bridge Street	108 m	1958	45°13′54.87″N 75°40′47.03″W / 45.2319083°N 75.6797306°W / 45.2319083; -75.6797306
Watson's Mill Dam	Pedestrian pathway	60m	1956	45°13′37.39″N 75°40′56.68″W / 45.2270528°N 75.6824111°W / 45.2270528; -75.6824111	The Watson's Mill Dam	This dam replaced an older one built in 1856.
	Roger Stevens Drive	174 m	1961	45°9′42.92″N 75°38′2.34″W / 45.1619222°N 75.6339833°W / 45.1619222; -75.6339833
Constable Hiram O'Callaghan Memorial Bridge	Highway 416	290 m	1996	45°4′57.89″N 75°38′17.39″W / 45.0827472°N 75.6381639°W / 45.0827472; -75.6381639
Beckett's Landing Bridge	Merlyn Wilson Road	143 m	1991	45°2′50.73″N 75°40′48.24″W / 45.0474250°N 75.6800667°W / 45.0474250; -75.6800667		This bridge replaced an older one built in 1937.

Bridges Over the Rideau Canal

The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It connects Ottawa to Kingston and has many bridges crossing it.

Bridge	Carries	Length	Built	Location	Image	What's Special
Plaza Bridge	Wellington Street Rideau Street Elgin Street	65 m	1912	45°25′28.86″N 75°41′41.33″W / 45.4246833°N 75.6948139°W / 45.4246833; -75.6948139	The Plaza Bridge	This bridge replaced two older bridges called Sappers Bridge and Dufferin Bridge.
Mackenzie King Bridge		101 m	1951	45°25′24.35″N 75°41′28.63″W / 45.4234306°N 75.6912861°W / 45.4234306; -75.6912861	The Mackenzie King Bridge
Laurier Avenue Bridge	Laurier Avenue	91 m	1900	45°25′21.35″N 75°41′21.11″W / 45.4225972°N 75.6891972°W / 45.4225972; -75.6891972	The Laurier Avenue Bridge
Corktown Footbridge	Pedestrian pathway	70 m	2006	45°25′13.98″N 75°41′4.42″W / 45.4205500°N 75.6845611°W / 45.4205500; -75.6845611	The Corktown Footbridge
Highway 417		122 m	1965	45°24′44.43″N 75°41′0.27″W / 45.4123417°N 75.6834083°W / 45.4123417; -75.6834083	The Highway 417 Bridge
Pretoria Bridge	Hawthorne Avenue	58 m	1915	45°24′41.58″N 75°40′59.91″W / 45.4115500°N 75.6833083°W / 45.4115500; -75.6833083	The Pretoria Bridge
Flora Footbridge	Pedestrian pathway	125 m	2019	45°24′18.46″N 75°40′51.87″W / 45.4051278°N 75.6810750°W / 45.4051278; -75.6810750	The Flora Footbridge
Bank Street Bridge	Bank Street	112 m	1912	45°23′46.72″N 75°41′4.42″W / 45.3963111°N 75.6845611°W / 45.3963111; -75.6845611	The Bank Street Bridge
Bronson Avenue Bridge	Bronson Avenue	88 m	1959	45°23′38.48″N 75°41′45.97″W / 45.3940222°N 75.6961028°W / 45.3940222; -75.6961028	The Bronson Avenue Bridge
Heron Road Workers Memorial Bridge	Heron Road	276 m	1967	45°22′32.16″N 75°42′7.93″W / 45.3756000°N 75.7022028°W / 45.3756000; -75.7022028	The Heron Road Workers Memorial Bridge	This bridge also crosses the Rideau River.
Hog's Back Swing Bridge	Hog's Back Road	27 m	1976	45°22′11.26″N 75°41′54.96″W / 45.3697944°N 75.6986000°W / 45.3697944; -75.6986000	The Hog's Back Swing Bridge

Bridges Over Patterson Creek

Patterson Creek is a small waterway in Ottawa, also part of the Rideau Canal system.

Bridge	Carries	Length	Built	Location	Image	What's Special
O'Connor Street Bridge	O'Connor Street	12 m	1907	45°24′24.48″N 75°41′10.76″W / 45.4068000°N 75.6863222°W / 45.4068000; -75.6863222	The O'Connor Street Bridge
Queen Elizabeth Driveway Bridge	Queen Elizabeth Driveway	10 m	c. 1912	45°24′28.92″N 75°40′55.4″W / 45.4080333°N 75.682056°W / 45.4080333; -75.682056	The Queen Elizabeth Driveway Bridge

Bridges Over Nepean Inlet

Nepean Inlet is a small bay connected to the Ottawa River.

Bridge	Carries	Length	Built	Location	Image	What's Special
Nepean Bay Bridge	Trans Canada Trail	30 m	2005	45°24′49.52″N 75°43′11.32″W / 45.4137556°N 75.7198111°W / 45.4137556; -75.7198111		This bridge crosses Nepean Bay.
LeBreton Bridge	Kichi Zibi Mikan	66 m	2005	45°24′50.04″N 75°43′9.47″W / 45.4139000°N 75.7192972°W / 45.4139000; -75.7192972		This bridge also crosses Nepean Bay.
Booth Street Bridge	Pedestrian pathway	20 m	1874	45°24′50.93″N 75°42′48.37″W / 45.4141472°N 75.7134361°W / 45.4141472; -75.7134361		This bridge crosses the Fleet Street Aqueduct. It used to carry Booth Street.
Pooley's Bridge	Pedestrian pathway	35 m	1873	45°24′59.71″N 75°42′38.93″W / 45.4165861°N 75.7108139°W / 45.4165861; -75.7108139	Pooley's Bridge	This bridge crosses the Fleet Street Aqueduct. It is the oldest bridge in Ottawa.