Manotick residents take City of Ottawa to court over truck route on Bridge Street

A community group in Manotick filed a court application in October 2026 arguing that the City of Ottawa's designated truck route on Bridge Street puts residents at risk and violates their rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The case is now before the Ottawa courthouse.

The group, Manotick Concerned Citizens Against Truck Traffic (MCCATT), argues that the route breaches section 7 of the Charter, which protects the right to life, liberty and security of the person, and section 15, which covers equality rights. The notice of application says the route "exposes children, older persons and persons with disabilities to the risk of death and serious injury." The allegations have not been tested in court.

What the route looks like

Bridge Street runs through the centre of Manotick village and includes a 350-metre section of Manotick Main Street. Transport trucks making a westbound right turn at the Bridge Street and Manotick Main Street intersection frequently mount curbs or cross into opposing traffic lanes while completing the wide turn, according to CTV News Ottawa. A 2023 study documented an average of 967 heavy trucks crossing the main intersection daily between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The route passes an elementary school and two retirement homes. An independent engineering report commissioned by MCCATT describes the intersection as "effectively designed to optimize the likelihood of pedestrian deaths." The report concludes that the two-lane route and the tight corner are not physically suited to large transport trucks. Dashcam video obtained by CTV shows a truck striking the rear of a sedan while turning and driving away. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe was "almost hit by a truck" during a site visit, CTV reported.

The group has argued for years that the City should close the Bridge Street designation and route trucks north of Manotick via the Vimy Memorial Bridge instead. The Vimy Bridge was built to serve as the primary truck crossing but the transition from the Manotick route never took place. For decades the community has asked the City to act, and the route has remained while the village has grown around it.

What the City has done

In 2024, the City introduced a seasonal ban covering about 42 weeks of the year. Under the ban, trucks are only allowed on the route between March 1 and May 15 during rehabilitation work on Century Road. River Road has been added as an all-year alternative route.

Rideau-Jock Councillor David Brown announced the seasonal restriction. Brown has named truck traffic on Bridge Street as one of the two local problems most in need of action in his ward. MCCATT argues the seasonal ban is not enough and that the route should be permanently closed.

The City launched a South End Truck Route Study in May 2026 to identify options for removing Bridge Street from the truck route network. The study examined several alternatives: River Road, the Vimy Memorial Bridge, Prince of Wales Drive, the Earl Armstrong Road extension and a potential new bridge. A public survey ran until May 19, 2026, with public information sessions held in June. As of November 2026, the study has not released its results.

City Councillor Steve Desroches, who represents Riverside South-Findlay Creek, said at the study's launch that it aimed at "coming up with some kind of data-driven solutions and options" for distributing truck traffic. Councillor Brown said the review should "identify viable alternative trucking routes that will avoid Manotick specifically." Desroches also has a promise to advance a bus rapid transit link from the Vimy Bridge to Limebank Station along a separate road corridor, which runs through the same part of the south end.

The court challenge

MCCATT filed its notice of application at the Ottawa courthouse in October 2026. The group is represented by lawyer Natalia Rodriguez. Jim Sproule, a former deputy chief coroner of Ontario and emergency physician who chairs MCCATT, became involved after a truck nearly struck him while he was cycling. Sproule said the City should close the designated truck route while the South End Truck Route Study runs, rather than waiting for the study to finish before acting.

The City hired outside legal counsel to respond to the application. City Solicitor Stuart Huxley declined to comment on the case, citing the pending court proceedings.

A court hearing date has not been announced publicly. The South End Truck Route Study is still in progress. Its findings could affect how the City presents its case and what options it offers the court.

What residents can do

The South End Truck Route Study is still accepting public input. Residents can follow progress and add comments through the City of Ottawa's website. The ward's councillor, David Brown, can be reached through his office at Ward 21 Rideau-Jock. His promise to act on this issue, and any updates to its status, are tracked at /on/ottawa-2026/candidates/david-brown and at the promise tracker.