Spanning the Ottawa River, Portage Bridge is a symbol of Canada’s history, as well as a significant crossing between Ontario and Quebec.
Also known as Pont du Portage, the Ottawa side of the bridge is located in the north section of Centretown, just off of Wellington Street. It ends at Rue Laurier on the Gatineau side.
Built in 1973 by the National Capital Commission, the busy bridge has six lanes of traffic, two cycle lanes, and a pedestrian walkway.
Even on a wet or snowy day, cyclists brave the cold weather, going between the two provinces using their designated lanes.
Large trees and uniformly-spaced lampposts line the bridge on both sides, as cars and trucks drive by in an almost constant stream.
A few of the pedestrians walking across stop to admire the view, which is both expansive and breathtaking.
Portage Bridge offers a quintessential view of Ottawa, reflecting its location in the capital region with the Canadian War Museum, Parliament, and the National Gallery of Canada all in sight.
Bike trails and footpaths lead from the sides of Portage Bridge onto Victoria Island, a small piece of land over which the bridge passes.
Hundreds of years ago, Victoria Island was used as a stopping place for aboriginals. Now, the NCC owns most of the Island, which is a combination of parkland and industrial space.
The bridge itself is a part of Confederation Boulevard, a ceremonial route going through historically significant areas in downtown Ottawa and Gatineau.
Portage Bridge was named in honour of the historic portage trail used by First Nations and later by voyageurs travelling across the Ottawa River, around Chaudière Falls and the rapids.
The portage trail was used for centuries by Ottawa Valley natives and then by voyageurs as a way to avoid navigating their canoes through the dangers of the rapids and the waterfall.