Kìwekì Point (formerly Nepean Point) Redevelopment [NCC]

[Harley613]

They moved the Samuel de Champlain statue down into a bush, cut down beautiful mature trees, concreted over 50% of the site, replaced the beautiful wrought iron railings with horrid galvanized steel on ribbed concrete walls, got rid of the big grass hill from the stature down to the railing which was the best place in the city to sit on the grass and watch the sunset, built a UFO...it's just horrible.

[SL123]

I personally much prefer this over what the point was before. I'll definitely be way more interested in going to the lookout now. I love how easy the access will be with the new bridge, I love how the entire point will be used as an almost 360 view of parliament, the river and Gatineau. To each their own clearly.

[OTownandDown]

Looks like we'll re-start the grand tradition of cruising in Major's Hill Park with this addition

[urbanforest]

Bridge is in place as of today. Some photos from the NCC on Twitter:





I’m now noticing that the concrete pathway leading up to the bridge is incredibly tall — are they really going to raise the adjacent ground level that much to match it?

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by SL123

I personally much prefer this over what the point was before. I'll definitely be way more interested in going to the lookout now. I love how easy the access will be with the new bridge, I love how the entire point will be used as an almost 360 view of parliament, the river and Gatineau. To each their own clearly.

Kind of agree with you both. The bridge makes it much more accessible and will really make the journey part of the destination. It will be so much more popular that it needed to be opened and sterilized a bit. And of course we can't have a Champlain statue prominently in our latest place to be renamed with an unpronounceable Algonquin name chosen by committee.

[OTSkyline]

Wow, looks good. Really looking forward to this. That point was not visited as frequently because it was sort of hidden and difficult to get to - now it's very accessible and open to Major Hill's which is great. Should also be a nice spot to watch fireworks

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

And of course we can't have a Champlain statue prominently in our latest place to be renamed with an unpronounceable Algonquin name chosen by committee.

How is it any more unpronounceable than "karate" or "banana" or "Topeka" or "sudoku" or "Kanata"?

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

Wow, looks good. Really looking forward to this. That point was not visited as frequently because it was sort of hidden and difficult to get to - now it's very accessible and open to Major Hill's which is great. Should also be a nice spot to watch fireworks

I liked that it was hard to get to, it was a nice place for locals to enjoy the sunset away from the summer tourist hordes. It was grassy, hilly, with beautiful mature trees. Now it's flat, concrete, and looks like a hilltop fortress/bunker.

[Davis137]

That looks pretty decent...I wonder what kind of money it cost...

[Spoonsy]

edit: nevermind

[J.OT13]

• Video Link

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by OTownandDown

Looks like we'll re-start the grand tradition of cruising in Major's Hill Park with this addition

That's a local heritage moment.

[SL123]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

• Video Link

Man the bridge itself will be a nice lookout on its own!

[harls]

Originally Posted by SL123

Man the bridge itself will be a nice lookout on its own!

It does look like a great photo spot.

Isn't the Alexandra bridge closed to traffic now for the last time before they tear it down?

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by harls

It does look like a great photo spot.

Isn't the Alexandra bridge closed to traffic now for the last time before they tear it down?

Yes, the Alexandra closed when the Chaudiere opened. I'm actually getting pretty good commute times when I have to hit the road for work. It was worse when the Champlain was down a lane and Chaudiere was closed, while only the Macdonald-Cartier and Alexandra were fully opened.

[zzptichka]

The bridge could've been more elegant and airy tbh

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by zzptichka

The bridge could've been more elegant and airy tbh

I don't know if it could have been with that span over the road, that looks pretty maxed out for a beam bridge. I appreciate that they made it work without a pier between the sidewalk and the road.

[vtecyo]

Originally Posted by harls

It does look like a great photo spot.

Isn't the Alexandra bridge closed to traffic now for the last time before they tear it down?

It's not being replaced yet - in theory it will only be closed for a year for repairs. Then reopening sometime late 2024 - (I bet it will actually be 2025). Then it will stay open until 2028 - when they'll actually tear it down - and the new one will open in 2032 ... probably

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ncc-unveils-guidelines-for-alexandra-bridge-replacement

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by vtecyo

It's not being replaced yet - in theory it will only be closed for a year for repairs. Then reopening sometime late 2024 - (I bet it will actually be 2025). Then it will stay open until 2028 - when they'll actually tear it down - and the new one will open in 2032 ... probably

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ncc-unveils-guidelines-for-alexandra-bridge-replacement

But Steve McKinnon thinks it will never re-open, not that I put a lot of weight behind what that guy has to say.

[hwy418]

Originally Posted by zzptichka

The bridge could've been more elegant and airy tbh

When is the monorail coming through?