Adàwe crossing temporarily closed for art installation

_ (via City of Ottawa) _ Adàwe crossing, the new pedestrian and cycling bridge spanning the Rideau River between Donald Street and Somerset Street East, will be closed on Saturday, February 13 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. for the installation of a public art piece that is an integral part of the bridge design.

Residents and visitors who were planning to use the bridge to access Winterlude sites on that day can use the Cummings Bridge for the duration of the closure.

The art piece that is being installed is called _ A View from Two Sides _ and was created by local artist Kenneth Emig. It features two stainless steel reflective spheres, both 1.5 metres in diameter, situated at eye level on the extended observation areas of the bridge. Each sphere presents the observer with a panoramic view that includes the sky, river, shores, bridge, pedestrians and cyclists.

Adàwe crossing officially opened on December 4, 2015, six months ahead of schedule, and experienced about 20,000 user trips in its first 10 days.

The name Adàwe is an Algonquin term meaning “to trade” and is symbolic of the history of the river, the indigenous heritage of the area and the bridge’s ability to link the communities on either side.

Adàwe crossing is a $9.2-million project and is part of the Ottawa on the Move initiative, which provides funding for improving and replacing roads, sidewalks, bike paths and transit to make it easier for residents to get around as our city grows.