A recently-opened cyclist and pedestrian crossing over the Rideau River could soon have barriers installed at both ends after it's proven unexpectedly popular with cars as well.

Rideau-Vanier Coun. Mathieu Fleury said there has been at least one report of a car travelling over the Adàwe Crossing since it opened in December 2015.

The incident happened sometime "over Christmas," he said.

"We have to find a mechanism by which we can't allow cars to go through. It is a pedestrian and cycling-only crossing," Fleury said on Saturday.

"Unfortunately, a small car does fit if we don't put up the appropriate barriers."

The crossing connects pedestrians and cyclists looking for a quicker route between Ottawa's Vanier and Overbrook neighbourhoods and Sandy Hill, the University of Ottawa, and the downtown core.