Providing alternative designs of a new pedestrian bridge in Ottawa

Harmer Avenue Pedestrian Bridge Over Highway 417

Originally built in 1962, the City of Ottawa wanted to replace the Harmer Avenue Bridge. Because it was no longer meeting accessibility and safety standards, everything needed to be reconstructed—that’s where we came in.

The slope requirements for accessibility had changed significantly since the bridge was originally built, requiring a much lower slope for ramps for ease of access for pedestrians and cyclists. Initially there was nowhere to build a longer ramp, as there was a limited amount of property that the city had permits to build within. Our team had to be creative with a solution to ensure this area of the community was accessible to all the city's constituents.

To answer this need, our bridge engineer designed complex layouts to meet the new ramp grade requirements. The engineer provided the city with eight different methods so that the ramp could meet the new standard requirements. The city did its due diligence to ensure the best option was selected to meet as many stakeholders' needs as possible.

Traffic disruptions are designed to be at a minimum. Once it is done being constructed, the public residents will have a modern and structurally sound bridge that cyclists and pedestrians can use. People will experience the accessible, flatter ramp, concrete stairs, rustproof railings, and a contemporary glass enclosed structure spanning the Queensway highway.