The NCC released the summary report of Public Participation - Round 1 for the new Eastern Bridge. 

The report states that the feedback will be used for the project's planning and design principles and for developing the Initial Project Description which is intended to be submitted to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada in Winter 2026. 

The next stage of public feedback is scheduled for early 2026 when the public will get a chance to comment on concept designs for the new bridge. 

The report is broken down into several categories with questions about benefits, impacts, and mitigation measures for each category. 

• Transportation and connectivity
  • Top benefit: reducing truck traffic in the downtown core (38.5% of respondents)
  • Top concern: traffic impacts on neighbourhoods (25.6% of respondents)
  • Mitigation measures: dedicated lanes for active transportation, improved coordination with existing transit systems and traffic calming strategies in adjacent neighbourhoods. Some also recommended grade separation at key intersections to reduce congestion and enhance safety for all users. 
• Community and health impacts
  • Top benefit: reducing traffic, noise, and accident impacts on downtown communities (51% of respondents)
  • Top concern: impacts on neighbouring communities through traffic or infrastructure changes resulting from the project (31% of respondents)
  • Mitigation measures: minimize traffic and noise impacts, while also ensuring continued community involvement in the project and equitable planning to protect vulnerable populations. 
• Economic and practical considerations
  • Top benefit: increased efficiency in the movement of goods resulting from a potential new bridge (31% of respondents)
  • Top concern: potential impacts on property values (28.6% of respondents)
  • Mitigation measures: reassessing the bridge’s location to better serve growing communities, coordinating with other infrastructure projects, and ensuring that the bridge supports future economic growth without compromising community well-being.
• Environmental concerns
  • Top benefit: the survey assumed no benefits for the immediate environment around the new bridge so no questions were asked for this
  • Top concerns: effects on the river and the riverbed (24% of respondents)
  • Mitigation measures: use of green building materials, noise-reducing barriers, and accelerated construction timelines to limit prolonged  disruption. There was also support for preserving wildlife corridors and ensuring stormwater management systems were in place. 

Thanks to everyone who participated in the survey and who supports the new bridge!

If you think the project should be fast-tracked, please share this petition to help show there is public support for putting shovels in the ground as soon as the impact assessments are done!