Quote:
Originally Posted by J.OT13
I agree Confederation Square feels like a barrier between the Central Business District and the Market area. Especially in winter. I think the Confederation Line helps somewhat, but a streetcar (the STO's tram/loop) would be a huge improvement in connecting the two areas of downtown.
In the meantime, better signage to direct people between Parks and the O-Train entrances (Winners, Podium Building, PdV underground) would help. Actual entrances on Sparks would be even better.
An eventual rebuild the Mackenzie/Sussex/Rideau/Colonel By intersection, making the road narrower, adding bike lanes and of course removing the horrible pedestrian underpass and maybe even add a restaurant or café on the corner, that would probably be the best improvement.
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That was all done to improve traffic throughput when Colonel By Drive was extended into downtown in 1967. So, it became traffic over people at a time when traffic priority was at its zenith. How do we correct this without jeopardizing pedestrian safety is going to be challenging? We need to make it easier and more friendly for pedestrians to go between the Rideau Centre and Sparks Street. It should not be necessary to use the subway to do this. This is one of the most beautiful sections of downtown Ottawa.
Is it possible to return Sussex to two way traffic and make the MacKenzie/Rideau intersection right turn only? This would allow us to eliminate that pedestrian underpass.