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.

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.

Overview of the Chaudière Crossing showing the 8 parts of its structure.

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 work is currently expected to start in spring 2026 and be completed by spring 2028.

Chaudière Crossing: Southern Structures Renewal Project