Corktown Footbridge

The Corktown Footbridge, also referred to as the Somerset Street bridge or simply the Somerset Bridge, is a footbridge in Ottawa, Canada built across the Rideau Canal. The 70-metre bridge is located about 400m south of the Laurier Avenue Bridge. It was opened on September 21, 2006.It links Somerset Street East in Sandy Hill and the University of Ottawa with Somerset Street West in Centretown. Previously the canal had been crossable at this point only during the winter months, when it was frozen. People continued to cross late in the season when the ice was melting, which some worried was unsafe. The idea of such a bridge has existed since at least 1984, first being proposed by councillor Diane Holmes. It went through many years of review and feasibility studies. During the 1990s it was supported by Regional Councillor Madeleine Meilleur, but there was never enough money to get it built. The bridge was most recently championed by city councillor Clive Doucet, and city council narrowly approved the $5 million bridge project in January 2005.The University of Ottawa and its students were strong supporters of the bridge during its construction. The bars and restaurants of Elgin Street were also eager to have more students. The bridge also links Centretown to the Campus Transitway Station just across the canal.