Kìwekì Point Lookout and Bridge
Kìwekì Point Lookout and Bridge (Formerly Nepean Point) is one of the most spectacular lookouts in the National Capital Region, making it a key Capital destination. The National Capital Commission (NCC) is redeveloping the site to create a more vibrant, modern park in the heart of the Capital.
The NCC Board of Directors approved new names for the site and the pedestrian bridge connecting Major’s Hill Park to Kìwekì Point. Nepean Point will now be called Kìwekì Point, which means “returning to one’s homeland,” while the pedestrian bridge will be known as Pìdàban Bridge, meaning “dawn.”
The Astrolabe Theatre was demolished, and monuments, statues, and art sculptures from the National Gallery of Canada were removed for relocation or restoration. The goal was to reintegrate them into the redevelopment project. The “Big River Landscape” concept plan guided the redevelopment of Kìwekì Point Lookout and Bridge (Formerly Nepean Point). It was the winning entry by Janet Rosenberg & Studio from the 2017 international design competition.
For more information on the National Capital Region Kiweki redevelopment project click here.
In partnership with Pomerleau Inc. Ottawa, Walters Group was responsible for fabricating and installing the pedestrian bridge and lookout (guardrails only) on site, which spanned Confederation Boulevard and connected Major’s Hill Park to Kìwekì Point Park. The bridge contained 425 tons of steel in the form of a curved box girder and tubular Y-shaped columns that required the installation of three Tuned Mass Dampers (TMDs) inside. A complex primer and two-coat paint system protected the steel and kept it looking beautiful.
Walters detailed and fabricated approximately 1,360 linear feet of stainless-steel guardrails and handrails for the bridge.
To see a comprehensive list of the bridge projects that Walters has worked on, please click here.
The bridge sections, each measuring 22 feet in width, posed significant logistical challenges during delivery into downtown Ottawa due to their substantial size and the dense urban environment. Adding to the complexity, the southern end of the bridge had to be installed over an exceptionally steep stretch of roadway, requiring precise planning and execution to ensure safe and accurate placement.
