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City Council to proceed with downtown tunnel study

Depiction of the potential route for a truck tunnel through downtown Ottawa. (City of Ottawa)
Depiction of the potential route for a truck tunnel through downtown Ottawa. (City of Ottawa)City of Ottawa
City council is moving forward with plans for a downtown truck tunnel, and study the feasibility of banning virtually all truck traffic from the downtown core if the tunnel becomes a reality.

City council is moving forward with plans for a downtown truck tunnel, and study the feasibility of banning virtually all truck traffic from the downtown core if the tunnel becomes a reality.

In a vote 21 to 2, council directed the mayor to ask other levels of government to help pay the estimated $7-million cost of the environmental study.

The tunnel itself has a current estimated price tag of $2-billion.

Councillor Riley Brockington voted against the motion, saying the city is handcuffing itself to a tunnel when there could be other solutions.

"I believe a bridge (over the Ottawa River) is another viable option," he said.

"There are other possibilities that still need to be discussed."

But Mayor Jim Watson says the tunnel is the only viable alternative left.

Council also approved a motion by Coun. Allan Hubley to explore the idea of banning all trucks from the downtown core - except those making deliveries - if the tunnel becomes a reality.