A major contract to rehabilitate the aged Chaudiere Crossing, linking Ottawa and Gatineau, has gone to a firm located north of Montreal.

The $5.37-million contract, awarded to Construction Kiewit Cie of Boisbriand, QC, mainly consists of a precast concrete alternative for both arches that will be factory made, delivered and assembled, then slid under the existing stone arch, Public Works said in a statement.

News of the contract award going to a non-local company undercuts previous promises made by area Conservative cabinet ministers John Baird and Lawrence Cannon that economic stimulus money set aside to rehabilitate federally owned bridges would "kick-start the local economy right here in the National Capital Region."