Mere hours after the $46,000 metal fence went up to block the entrance to the Prince of Wales railway bridge, the chain link fence was pushed off of its hinges.
Photos captured people trespassing on the picturesque bridge, which became a popular hangout for both pedestrians and cyclists.
Mayor Jim Watson has said the city had to do something to avoid any legal issues resulting from injuries.
There are no lawsuits filed about the bridge on record.
The bridge, which is deteriorating badly, would cost more than $10-million to upgrade and will eventually be used as a light rail link between Ottawa and Gatineau.
But Watson said that link is still years away.
"Well ultimately if the other levels of government give us money, we could push anything forward, but my priority has always been Phase 1 then Phase 2 and then the next rail extension should be to Kanata and then to Gatineau through the Prince of Wales Bridge."
Watson said the link would ease congestion in the downtown core.
"The Prince of Wales Bridge connection for trains to Tache Rapibus is perfect, a perfect location," he said. "It would solve some of the problems we have with lots of buses from Gatineau coming in and they could hop on the train at the Rapibus station at Tache and come right into Ottawa."
If the City waits until after a Kanata LRT link is established before building light rail to Gatineau it will be at least another 15 years that the Prince of Wales Bridge will be fenced off.