A boat won’t float on a frozen river, so drive on the ice instead!
Consistently cold temperatures since early January mean conditions are safe for ice bridges to open across the Ottawa River. The ice bridge between Lefaivre and Fassett near Montebello opened on Tuesday, January 21. When the river is not frozen, a privately owned toll ferry, operated by Traverse Lefaivre Montebello takes vehicles and people across the river in both directions. But, when ice conditions permit, drivers can get a bit of an idea what it’s like to drive on an ice toll road like those found in the far north, just by taking a short trip across the Ottawa River.
On Sunday, January 26, the toll collector at the Fassett-Lefaivre ice bridge said traffic has varied since opening day and depends on the day and time. He said many drivers using the ice bridge are weekend people heading to the Laurentians to ski.
Photos: James Morgan
