(Updated 11:30 p.m., Jan. 9)
Community associations endorse Kettle Island bridge recommendation
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online

Innes Ward Coun. Rainer Bloess signs a letter of undestanding endorsing the final recommendation of the consultant group NCE-Roche which identified Kettle Island as the ideal location for an interpovincial crossing. Looking on are Cumberland Ward Coun. Rob Jellett and Orleans Ward Coun. Bob Monette. Fred Sherwin/Photo

The presidents of nine community associations in the far east end have thrown their support behind a consultants' recommendation to build an interprovincial bridge at Kettle Island.

The presidents signed a letter of understanding at the invitation of city councillors Bob Monette, Rob Jellett and Rainer Bloess as well as Ottawa-Orléans MP Royal Galipeau, all of whom have been actively campaigning to have Kettle Island move forward as the sole option to be studied during the second phase of the Environmental Assessment process.

The letter lists six "whereas" supporting their position followed by a statement of support for the construction of an interprovincial crossing at Kettle Island linking into the Aviation Parkway.

During the official signing ceremony on Wednesday, Monette said the community association endorsements showed that the community was cleary behind the city councillors efforts.

"Altogether, the community associations represent over 100,000 residents. The experts have said time and again that Kettle Island is the best location. It's time to get the bridge built," said Monette.

The letter of understanding is meant to counteract efforts by residents living in Manor Park and Rockcliffe to have the bridge built further east near the Canotek Business Park.

Lead by Ottawa-Vanier MP Mauril Belanger and MPP Madeliene Meilleur, the residents have been lobbying to have Upper or Lower Duck Island added as a second option in the next phase of the study along with Kettle Island.

The east end coalition is against adding a second option to the next phase, arguing that it will only delay the process. They're also adamant that the other possible locations are all more environmentally sensitive than Kettle Island and would turn Hwy. 174 into a parking lot.

During the official signing of the letter of understanding on Wednesday, Queenswood Heights Community Association representative Pete Weston noted the potential impact a bridge would have on local traffic if it were built outside of the Grenbelt.

"If you build it out here, there would be too much traffic to contend with. We already have too much gridlock the way things are now," said Weston.

The consultant group NCE-Roche submitted their final report identifying Kettle Island as the ideal location for an interprovincial bridge on Monday. The recommendation must still be endorsed by the federal government, the NCC, the provincial governments of Ontario and Quebec and the cities of Gatineau and Ottawa before the second phase of the Environmental Assessment process can begin.

Of the various levels of government, the only potential fly in the ointment is the province of Ontario where Madeleine Meilleur is thought to be actively lobbying her Cabinet colleagues to demand a second option be included in the second phase.

Monette and the other two east end councillors are confident the province will eventually fall in line rather than risk holding up the process.

"I don't think they'll have any choice. I think after they read the report and see it, they won't want to be the ones who say No. Common sense will prevail," said Monette.

The east end councillors have joined together to launch a website at www.kettleislandbridgenow.ca which includes information from the consultants' findings. The title page includes the headline "Stop Dithering on Kettle Island Bridge" in bright blue bold letters.

(This story was made possible thanks to the generous support of our local business partners.)

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