If councillor Steve Desroches has his way, the name of the new bridge linking Standherd and Earl Armstrong will have national significance.

He likes the name the Legion was quick to suggest — Vimy Bridge. Its members have been petitioning him and the city since 2010.

The mayor says Desroches is already talking about a possible naming ceremony on Nov. 11. The First World War Battle of Vimy Ridge will be a century old in April of 2017, the same year Canada celebrates its 150th birthday.

The Legion’s suggestion is actually quite significant, as the application was made by the two branches now joined by the bridge — the well-established Manotick branch and the fastest-growing one in Barrhaven.

When the bridge was opened a week ago, Mayor Jim Watson referred to it as Ottawa’s Eiffel Tower.

Asked if all the attention adorned upon a short, suburban bridge in the southern reaches of the city — with a $48 million price tag, two years beyond the intended completion date — was a tad overzealous, Desroches gets decidedly defensive.

For starters, he thinks his ward is urban.

“It is an urban part of Ottawa. The national capital isn’t just downtown. This is absolutely a prominent part of the city,” he said.

That’s partly to do with the river.

“It’s a UNESCO world heritage site,” he says of the Rideau River waterway which the still unnamed bridge spans.

“It’s very much a gateway and warrants a name that has national significance.”

Leith Symon, who lives nearby, supports the Vimy name.

“We’re proud supporters of the military,” she said. “It’s a nice, big bridge.”

As for keeping the unofficial name of former Gloucester reeve Earl Armstrong, Desroches said amalgamation is 14 years gone now, and while the road will retain the name, he feels “something of this magnitude” deserves its own moniker.

“I think it’s fitting,” said Desroches of the Vimy name.

“The boaters on their way for Canada Day will draw inspiration from that bridge.”

Watson said the Vimy name is the only one currently filed with the city clerk’s office. There has been some talk of naming the bridge after fallen Ottawa police Const. Eric Czapnik, but Watson said there is already a street named after Czapnik and 911 rules would forbid another roadway, for fear of causing confusion.

There is already a Vimy Place but it is essentially just the driveway of the War Museum and Watson said Desroches has already looked into this and has been assured there would be no conflict.

The commemorative naming committee will eventually suggest a name for the bridge to council.

doug.hempstead@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @DougHempstead