Pedestrian Bridges

[AuxTown]

I don't know what's taking so long....but that looks great

For all its faults, I love that our two major universities and biggest college will be served by major stops on our LRT lines!

[lrt's friend]

MUP Bridge at Carleton University is being officially opened on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 11 a.m.

https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/long-awaited-r...ycling-bridge-opening-saturday-1.6923993

[rocketphish]

Long-awaited Rideau River footbridge opening for business Saturday
After one false start, the long-awaited Rideau River bridge near Carleton University is ready.

Staff Reporter, Ottawa Citizen
Published Jun 13, 2024 • Last updated 4 hours ago • 1 minute read



This time, it’s official.

After one false start, the long-awaited Rideau River bridge near Carleton University is ready to go.

Coun. Riley Brockington announced the official opening on X, writing: “(Coun. Sean Menard) and I are pleased to invite you to celebrate the opening of the new Rideau River Pedestrian and Cycling Bridge, connecting Carleton University to Vincent Massey Park.”

The event begins at 11 a.m. Saturday.

The steel bridge has been under construction for more than two years. Once it’s officially open, the span will connect Carleton University and Vincent Massey Park.

It was meant to coincide with the reopening of an extended O-train Line 2.

No opening date for the Trillium Line, which is already two years behind schedule, has been set. Michael Morgan, the city’s director of rail construction, has said a start date in August or September is possible.

The new line will run between Bayview Station and Riverside South, with a spur to the Ottawa International Airport.

Back to that false start: In May this year, for undisclosed reasons, exterior rigging and other signage disappeared from the Rideau River pedestrian bridge site.

Social media did the rest. Pedestrians were almost immediately seen crossing the bridge.

New signage and barriers were re-established. And the bridge was kept closed.

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-new...footbridge-opening-for-business-saturday

[rocketphish]

Pedestrian bridge opens near Carleton after delays, false start
The Rideau River bridge is now open — officially, this time

Isabel Harder · CBC News
Posted: Jun 15, 2024 5:43 PM EDT | Last Updated: 4 hours ago



A new multi-use footbridge over the Rideau River is now open, after years of delays and at least one false start.

The footbridge now connects Carleton University in the north with Vincent Massey Park in the south. It runs parallel to the Trillium LRT Line, which has been under construction since 2020.

It's the only river crossing in the area, with people previously having to use other options on Bronson Avenue, Heron Road and Bank Street.

For those who came out Saturday to the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, the bridge offers encouragement to use active modes of transportation.

"I've been waiting for the bridge to open for a while," runner Jared Taylor said.

Taylor said he found himself avoiding the area on past runs because there wasn't an easy way to get across the river.

"This was always an obstruction. Having to go to Billings Bridge [on Bank Street] added too much to the route to make it an option."

The bridge's opening marks the beginning of the end of a fight for the completion of developments adjacent to the Trillium LRT line.

River ward Coun. Riley Brockington, whose ward is on the bridge's south side, said he was told it would open just four months after it was installed in 2022 as part of LRT Stage 2.

"Obviously four months have long gone, and here we are almost two years later," he said.

The contractor behind the bridge, TransitNEXT, which is also building the Trillium Line expansion, was not required to open the bridge until the LRT opening.

The bridge opened briefly in March when the contractor mistakenly removed a barricade. It was soon closed again for safety reasons.

Several residents described that situation as frustrating, including Bike Ottawa president Florence Lehmann, who was one of the first cyclists to cross during the short window of opportunity.

"I understand they had a little more work to do, but it was actually usable," Lehmann said on Saturday. "They could have opened it sooner."

Brockington said some finishing touches had to be made before it could open officially, but they were minor and wouldn't have justified delaying the bridge's opening until the LRT line was in service.

City officials still haven't provided an opening date for the Trillium Line, but director of the rail construction program Michael Morgan told CBC Ottawa Saturday it will be another eight to 10 weeks before commuters can ride the north-south trains.

After years of delays, those involved are just happy to have the bridge open.

"I took longer than I think it probably should have," said Capital ward Coun. Shawn Menard. "But today is a happy day."

City officials say they expect the bridge to be named officially in the coming months after public consultation.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/pe...leton-after-delays-false-start-1.7236468

[MountainView]

Footbridge opened over the weekend. Pictures from June 20, 2024:

[J.OT13]

Continue to conversation here.

Originally Posted by Lakeofthewood

Yup, this came from Marty Carr's email blast last week, but haven't seen an update on the official City project site. (Just copy pasting the text since posting a screenshot is impossible).

"Update on Tremblay Multi-Use Connection

This week my office received an update from city staff on the proposed multiuse pathway (MUP) connecting Via Rail and Tremblay Road to Trainyards. Unfortunately, this project has been put on pause until the time when VIA rail redevelops. There is no timeline for this and unfortunately it is not possible to find a path forward while VIA rail is in a holding pattern for their own redevelopment. I know this is a much-needed connection and I am disappointed to have to share this news."

I assume everything at the VIA Station is dependent on HxR. They don't want to redevelop the site or find a proper home for the bus depot until they know what will happen with the rail network, but this is truly disappointing, penalizing hundreds of potential riders because the Government moves at a glacial pace.

You'd think we could reuse existing infrastructure. I can understand why they don't want to mix the public with VIA riders in the tunnel that connects to the platforms, but what about the tunnel that connects to the Canada Post Distribution Centre? I doubt that gets used at all nowadays, so we could use that with an entrance just across the tracks somewhere.

[Lakeofthewood]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Continue to conversation here.



I assume everything at the VIA Station is dependent on HxR. They don't want to redevelop the site or find a proper home for the bus depot until they know what will happen with the rail network, but this is truly disappointing, penalizing hundreds of potential riders because the Government moves at a glacial pace.

You'd think we could reuse existing infrastructure. I can understand why they don't want to mix the public with VIA riders in the tunnel that connects to the platforms, but what about the tunnel that connects to the Canada Post Distribution Centre? I doubt that gets used at all nowadays, so we could use that with an entrance just across the tracks somewhere.

It really is incredibly disappointing that in a multi-billion dollar project, we couldn't find the funds to build a bridge / tunnel as part of Stage 1. It's almost a 2.0km walk from Tremblay Station to Walmart (I assume Walmart is the biggest employer in Trainyards). A bridge or tunnel would have made it a 500m walk. A massive difference in travel time, and that's without even considering how it would have aligned with the 417 bridge and connection to Overbrook.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Lakeofthewood

It really is incredibly disappointing that in a multi-billion dollar project, we couldn't find the funds to build a bridge / tunnel as part of Stage 1. It's almost a 2.0km walk from Tremblay Station to Walmart (I assume Walmart is the biggest employer in Trainyards). A bridge or tunnel would have made it a 500m walk. A massive difference in travel time, and that's without even considering how it would have aligned with the 417 bridge and connection to Overbrook.

Agreed. I'd say kit was the City pandering to suburban commuters and ignoring those who need transit the most (see Jasmine Crescent), but the lack of tunnel makes the two Federal office buildings on Terminal inaccessible as well. Small investments could pay dividends in ridership, but the City is too short sighted to see that.

As for the Canada Post tunnel I mentioned, if my observation is correct, based on GeoOttawa, that tunnel was demolished for a surface parking lot in 2007. It's unclear if it even crossed the tracks to the north side.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Agreed. I'd say kit was the City pandering to suburban commuters and ignoring those who need transit the most (see Jasmine Crescent), but the lack of tunnel makes the two Federal office buildings on Terminal inaccessible as well. Small investments could pay dividends in ridership, but the City is too short sighted to see that.

As for the Canada Post tunnel I mentioned, if my observation is correct, based on GeoOttawa, that tunnel was demolished for a surface parking lot in 2007. It's unclear if it even crossed the tracks to the north side.

Yes office towers and all the other trainyards businesses makes it a large employment node. There are also a few of us who shop there who would take transit.

Aren''t there like 10 trains a day? Can we not have a surface level crossing with gates which would be very cheap? You see this in Europe and Japan where there are 10 trains an hour.

[zzptichka]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

Yes office towers and all the other trainyards businesses makes it a large employment node. There are also a few of us who shop there who would take transit.

Aren''t there like 10 trains a day? Can we not have a surface level crossing with gates which would be very cheap? You see this in Europe and Japan where there are 10 trains an hour.

VIA thinks it's an airline, and for them walking on platforms and, god forbid, crossing the rails is like walking on tarmac.

[Lakeofthewood]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

Yes office towers and all the other trainyards businesses makes it a large employment node. There are also a few of us who shop there who would take transit.

Aren''t there like 10 trains a day? Can we not have a surface level crossing with gates which would be very cheap? You see this in Europe and Japan where there are 10 trains an hour.

Honestly this is a great question that would really address some other connectivity problems caused by train tracks in the City. I'm sure you could flag 5-10 other locations where an at-grade crossing would be very helpful to community connectivity.

[harls]

You know it will take one dunderhead getting smacked by a train to shut the whole thing down, though.

[DTcrawler]

Originally Posted by harls

You know it will take one dunderhead getting smacked by a train to shut the whole thing down, though.

Trains are barely moving in the vicinity of the station and considering the crossing would be in a highly visible area you'd hope there'd be eyes on it to prevent that type of incident.

That being said, I see your point - someone will manage to find a way.

I still think a level crossing is an excellent, low cost idea. But of course this being Canada, we're averse to simple solutions like that. We'll likely get a level crossing anyway, but only after 5 years of studies.

[J.OT13]

But where? The platforms are in the way. Beyond the platforms is kind of now man's land.

[J.OT13]

Ottawa stops EA study on possible multi-use pathway through VIA Rail station property

Josh Pringle
CTV News Ottawa Producer and Digital Lead
Published Oct. 17, 2024 7:22 a.m. EDT

The City of Ottawa is hitting the brakes on studying a new multi-use pathway connecting the Tremblay Station to Trainyards through the VIA Rail station, while VIA Rail still determines its future plans for the station in Ottawa's east end.

The city launched an environmental assessment study for the Tremblay Station Multi-Use Pathway at the station on Tremblay Road, with a goal of connecting the new LRT station with the Trainyards retail area and future mixed-use development on Industrial Avenue and Terminal Avenue. The proposed pathway would cross through the VIA Rail station property.

However, staff say it's pausing the EA study because VIA Rail's future redevelopment plans for the site are unknown.

"While VIA Rail has indicated a willingness to integrate its development with the City’s mobility plans, it has not yet commenced its planning work and is unable to provide a timeline for when this will occur," Jennifer Armstrong, acting director of Transportation Planning, Planning, Development and Building Services Department, said in a memo to the Transportation Committee.

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"In the absence of a redevelopment plan, VIA Rail would like to preserve all options, thereby ensuring no negative impact on its property."

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Armstrong says that as part of the environmental assessment, "extensive consultation" was undertaken with VIA Rail on possible routes for the path through the station property.

"One of the main concerns expressed was the need to protect VIA Rail’s property for future redevelopment, which includes the federal government’s High Frequency Rail (HFR) project."

The City of Ottawa has said an active transportation crossing is needed between the Tremblay Station/VIA Rail station and the Trainyards area to integrate transit into the community and serve the planned intensification in the area.

Currently, pedestrians and cyclists can only travel between Tremblay Station/VIA Rail and Trainyards by travelling to either Riverside Drive or Belfast Road to cross the tracks.

Staff say three options for a multi-use pathway were identified to cross the VIA Rail tracks, including an option that avoids all impacts to VIA Rail property, but staff said the routing "results in a circuitous path that is inconvenient for pedestrians/cyclists and would likely not be well used if constructed."

"Through further discussions, VIA Rail expressed an openness to incorporating a direct connection to Tremblay Station into its redevelopment plans," Armstrong said. "This provides a better solution and offers a shorter, more convenient route for pedestrians and cyclists while maximizing the integration between the VIA Rail site and Tremblay Station."

However, Armstrong says an "integrated solution can only be developed" once the planning phase for the VIA Rail station redevelopment is initiated.

"As a result, the EA study will be paused and the consultant assignment will be closed out until VIA Rail’s plans for the site are known," Armstrong said, adding the EA study analysis will be filed for future use.

Riverside Drive Pathway
Staff say there is a "low-cost solution" to improve active transportation connectivity between the VIA Rail station and Tremblay Avenue, "that can be implemented without the involvement of VIA Rail."



Under the proposed plan to be included in the Transportation Master Plan, the city would extend the existing multi-use pathway along Tremblay Road down the slope to Riverside Drive, and repurpose the sidewalk along Riverside Drive to a pathway and widen it to a minimum of three metres.

"Beyond the bridge overpass, the MUP rises along a sloped and grassed area parallel to Riverside Drive, terminating at the intersection of Terminal Avenue and Sandford Fleming Avenue where it connects with the sidewalks along Terminal Avenue," Armstrong said, adding it would require Canada Post to provide 0.1 hectares of property.

The estimated cost is $3 million.

https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/ottawa-stops-e...ough-via-rail-station-property-1.7076589

[J.OT13]

VIA Rail on a roll killing other people's plans to improve the area. They going to reimburse the City for the trashed studies?

[OTownandDown]

So crazy. There's already plenty of MUP crossings of these very tracks, all along the line, through Ottawa, without your fancy gates and such. Just a set of lights and bells is all that is needed. What the hell. Draw a straight line from Tremblay into the parking lots of those government buildings and call it a f*cking day. The VIA platforms at that end are NEVER used. Put up signage and a corral rope on those platforms where the MUP crosses. In the day, we used to enter the platform area, cross the platforms, FROM THE PARKING LOTS, and just hop on the train. 3 Million for an environmental study. What are we on crack. F***. Who comes up with these numbers?? That's like double or triple what an entirely new bike path from Tremblay to Trainyards should cost for construction.

Riverside Campus of Ottawa Hospital - Bike path crossing
Pleasant Park - Road and sidewalks
Sawmill Creek Path - Bike path
Merivale Road - Road and Sidewalk

and then all points west of there again and again. And east of there, again and again.

Why do we need to babysit every eventuality on earth. Put a lighted, sounded warning. Its darwinism at its finest.

[zzptichka]

Originally Posted by OTownandDown

So crazy. There's already plenty of MUP crossings of these very tracks, all along the line, through Ottawa, without your fancy gates and such. Just a set of lights and bells is all that is needed. What the hell. Draw a straight line from Tremblay into the parking lots of those government buildings and call it a f*cking day. The VIA platforms at that end are NEVER used. Put up signage and a corral rope on those platforms where the MUP crosses. In the day, we used to enter the platform area, cross the platforms, FROM THE PARKING LOTS, and just hop on the train. 3 Million for an environmental study. What are we on crack. F***. Who comes up with these numbers?? That's like double or triple what an entirely new bike path from Tremblay to Trainyards should cost for construction.

Riverside Campus of Ottawa Hospital - Bike path crossing
Pleasant Park - Road and sidewalks
Sawmill Creek Path - Bike path
Merivale Road - Road and Sidewalk

and then all points west of there again and again. And east of there, again and again.

Why do we need to babysit every eventuality on earth. Put a lighted, sounded warning. Its darwinism at its finest.

But compared to their proposal, that would be 10x less expensive, 10x shorter, and probably 10x faster to build. Can't have that.

[Uhuniau]

Updates from the exciting world of pedestrian/MUP bridges!

Old Railway Rideau River Pedestrian Bridge Renewal virtual consultation coming up on November 6.


The NCC Sir George-Étienne Cartier Park Plan just out this month, calls for [an exploration of] "the feasibility of an additional pedestrian crossing over Green’s Creek" (5.3.1 and 5.3.2)

[VANRIDERFAN]

Any takers on the chance that the Commanda Bridge be closed again this winter?