Somerset also used to extend east over the Rideau River towards St. Laurent Boulevard.
[6][7][8] In the 1870s, as the area was developed, a bridge was proposed linking the two Somerset Streets over the Rideau Canal.
Today, on the east side of the canal, there is a pedestrian link from the multi-use pathway that runs alongside the canal, across Colonel By Drive, and under Nicholas Street and the transitway, onto the University of Ottawa campus.
The street continues through the campus as Marie Curie Private, with traffic restricted to bicycles in the westbound direction.
The Corktown Footbridge connects the two sides, but is restricted to non-motorized traffic.