Chaudire Bridge closure could last weeks

The Chaudire Bridge acrossthe Ottawa River could remain closed for most of May as water levels on the river remain uncomfortably high.

The interprovincial bridge between Ottawa and Gatineau, Que., has been closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic since April 28.

• Chaudire Bridge closed due to high water

On Friday, Public Serviceand Procurement Canada (PSPC) spokesperson Charles Drouin told CBC News the department is working "diligently" to get the crossing opened as soon as possible but the closure would likely remain for "atleast a few weeks."

Waiting for water to recede

Steven MacKinnon, the department's parliamentary secretary, said PSPC is keeping a close eye on the span.

"We do visual inspectionsthose are done twice dailyand we continue to use surveying techniques to ensure there is no movement of the bridge," he told CBC's All In A Day.

We have neglected our interprovincial crossings for far too long in this region.-Steven MacKinnon, parliamentary secretary, PSPC

MacKinnon said water levels must recede before a full inspection can take place.

"This water is not going to go down as quickly as we would like, and once it does and we are able to do underside inspections."

He said the closure is further evidence the region needsmore crossings.

"We have neglected our interprovincial crossings for far too long in this region," he said. "We have a very real capacity issue. The last bridge was built in this region [when there were only] 650,000 people."

River peaked Thursday

Levels on the Ottawa River peaked across much of the region Thursday, but the river's regulation board is warning the water could still remain high for weeks.

OC Transporoutes are also being diverted during the closure.

PSPC said it's confident the other interprovincial spans under its jurisdiction, the Macdonald-Cartier and Alexandra bridges, are safe.

NCC also keeping watch