Roads/Bridges projects/issues

[J.OT13]

Woodroffe and Maitland 417 overpasses to be replaced in 2028 and include wider sidewalks and bike lanes.

• Video Link

[J.OT13]

Public Works committee last week. Amongst other things was a heated debate on banning right on red.

• Video Link

[Lakeofthewood]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Public Works committee last week. Amongst other things was a heated debate on banning right on red.

• Video Link

Good lord, what started as some great presentations from the community turned into a classic City of Ottawa committee meeting.

A completely pointless motion that took way too long to withdraw. City staff doubling down on their report, despite the numerous errors pointed out earlier in the meeting. And finally the cherry on top, a totally unnecessary, rambling closing speech from Tierney that included jabs at other councillors, jabs at presenters, and making completely irrelevant points that did nothing but detract from what had been an important discussion.

[eltodesukane]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Woodroffe and Maitland 417 overpasses to be replaced in 2028 and include wider sidewalks and bike lanes.

Good!
Sad and shameful that the not so ancient Vanier Parkway bridge replacement
did not include wider sidewalks and bike lanes, despite them being badly needed there.
Obviously the powers that be are not the ones walking or biking there.

[dougvdh]

Originally Posted by eltodesukane

Good!
Sad and shameful that the not so ancient Vanier Parkway bridge replacement
did not include wider sidewalks and bike lanes, despite them being badly needed there.
Obviously the powers that be are not the ones walking or biking there.

Same for the Belfast (over 417) replacement that was done 10 years ago. It too was too narrow for cycle tracks. So now we have a shoe-horned in MUP with 'Cyclist Dismount' signs when you get to the bridge.

[golfguy9]

Has anyone driven down Alta Vista lately? Specifically between Heron and say Smyth.

I legitimately don't think there's a section of road in worse condition in the city and it's not on the city's renewal list for the foreseeable future.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by golfguy9

Has anyone driven down Alta Vista lately? Specifically between Heron and say Smyth.

I legitimately don't think there's a section of road in worse condition in the city and it's not on the city's renewal list for the foreseeable future.

Haven't been in that are for a while, but it can't be worse than Nicholas.

[TransitZilla]

Originally Posted by golfguy9

Has anyone driven down Alta Vista lately? Specifically between Heron and say Smyth.

I legitimately don't think there's a section of road in worse condition in the city and it's not on the city's renewal list for the foreseeable future.

Apparently the work on Alta Vista is dependent on the Bank Street renewal being completed first:

https://martycarrottawa.ca/plans-and-projects/alta-vista-drive/

[Richard Eade]

I know that there is a lot of criticism of Mayor O’Brien for his “Zero Means Zero” pledge, and then walk-back on that, but I think that there should be some acknowledgement that O’Brien was able to open his eyes to reality once he was in the big chair. Few seem to give him any credit for recognizing that the city’s infrastructure was in worse shape than we believed, and implementing a 2% Infrastructure Surtax to help try to clear things up. Something that the mayors since have completely ignored, allowing the ‘Infrastructure Deficit’ to grow.

(In fact, Watson’s campaign specifically used the tax surcharge against O’Brien, but unfairly claiming how high taxes had risen – even though the surtax was to be a temporary, 3-year, thing.)

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Richard Eade

I know that there is a lot of criticism of Mayor O’Brien for his “Zero Means Zero” pledge, and then walk-back on that, but I think that there should be some acknowledgement that O’Brien was able to open his eyes to reality once he was in the big chair. Few seem to give him any credit for recognizing that the city’s infrastructure was in worse shape than we believed, and implementing a 2% Infrastructure Surtax to help try to clear things up. Something that the mayors since have completely ignored, allowing the ‘Infrastructure Deficit’ to grow.

(In fact, Watson’s campaign specifically used the tax surcharge against O’Brien, but unfairly claiming how high taxes had risen – even though the surtax was to be a temporary, 3-year, thing.)

I don't remember that bit. Seems like a reasonable approach we should be using now for 3 to 5 years to catch-up.

I do give O'Brien credit for Lansdowne 1.0, O-Train Line 1 and the Convention Centre. It was a chaotic few years, but a lot got done.

[skyscraperaccount]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I don't remember that bit. Seems like a reasonable approach we should be using now for 3 to 5 years to catch-up.

I do give O'Brien credit for Lansdowne 1.0, O-Train Line 1 and the Convention Centre. It was a chaotic few years, but a lot got done.

We'd need a hell of a lot more than a 2% surtax if we were doing it that quick.

We strangled this town for 30 years, might take 30 to unstrangle.

[HrDm180]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Haven't been in that are for a while, but it can't be worse than Nicholas.

No it's pretty much worse than anything in the city right now. Drive it from Kilborn to Bank...third world. I live here and we've been dealing with the Bank Street reconstruction for like three years now so Alta Vista Drive (which I refer to as the Alta Vista Trail) is the alternative route in and out of the neighbourhood. The City lets this infrastructure fail and then has to look under the sofa cushions for the cash to do something about it. Alta Vista was pretty much built all at once so now all the streets and roads are past end of life: Bank, AV, Heron, Walkley. I've been living in the neighbourhood for 20 years and I seriously think about moving every time I have to drive around here. Surely my $580/month in property taxes could make a dent in this...shameful. I see streets repaved in other Wards that aren't nearly as bad as the ones in Alta Vista and think —? Clearly not a priority for the Councillor.

[Uhuniau]

Maybe I have incipient osteo-arthritis, maybe the mechanics shortage at OC Transpo, but are the potholes, ruts, and heaves on downtown streets worse somehow this year?

(I only really experience this as a bus passenger; and it might be all three of those things at once.)

[ponyboycurtis]

Originally Posted by golfguy9

Has anyone driven down Alta Vista lately? Specifically between Heron and say Smyth.

I legitimately don't think there's a section of road in worse condition in the city and it's not on the city's renewal list for the foreseeable future.

I swear my shock towers will never be the same. I agree. It's almost impossible for a piece of road to be in worse condition. I feel like I am gritting my teeth and cringing. It's so bad that earlier this summer I would opt for Bank street construction instead.

[ponyboycurtis]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I don't remember that bit. Seems like a reasonable approach we should be using now for 3 to 5 years to catch-up.

I do give O'Brien credit for Lansdowne 1.0, O-Train Line 1 and the Convention Centre. It was a chaotic few years, but a lot got done.

You know it's funny because it seems like O'Brien seems not to be a fondly remembered Mayor and yet look who else has been running the show since then?

[rocketphish]

Bus-only lanes to be considered for Bank Street in the Glebe
A report about the proposed 15-month pilot project will go before a City of Ottawa committee on March 30.

By Natasha Baldin, Ottawa Citizen
Published Mar 21, 2026 | Last updated 5 hours ago | 5 minute read

Peak period bus-only lanes may soon be introduced along Bank Street as the City of Ottawa explores ways to improve OC Transpo service and reliability through the busy Glebe corridor.

A proposed 15-month pilot project would establish bus-only lanes from 7 to 10 a.m. northbound and from 3 to 6 p.m. southbound along Bank Street between Highway 417 and the Rideau Canal, according to a report set to go before committee on March 30.

City staff are also proposing four permanent 24-hour bus-only segments along Bank near Fourth, Holmwood and Aylmer avenues, resulting in the removal of 17 on-street parking spaces.

But the plan is proving to be controversial with local community groups. Some argue further parking reductions are needed to improve transit reliability, while others worry that any loss in parking could hurt area businesses.

Bank Street is one of Ottawa’s busiest corridors.

As the main artery through the Glebe, it carries a mix of cars, buses, pedestrians and cyclists. It also serves as a key access route to major events at Lansdowne Park, including Charge, Redblacks, Atlético and Rapid games.

On a typical weekday, more than 6,900 transit passengers are estimated to travel this corridor on bus routes 6 and 7— two of the highest ridership routes in the city.

However, both routes also ranked among OC Transpo’s top three for undelivered trips in February 2026, each posting a delivery rate just below 93 per cent, according to data presented to the transit committee on March 12.

Up to 720 vehicles per hour travel along Bank Street in the peak directions — northbound in the morning, southbound in the afternoon — according to staff. While all intersections in the corridor are reported to operate “under capacity,” delays still occur as cars wait to turn left off Bank or to enter and exit on-street parking.

<more>

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/bus-lanes-bank-street

[rocketphish]

Glebe BIA would rather see increased police presence over bus lanes on Bank St.

Marissa Galko, OBJ
March 20, 2026

Reducing on-street parking in favour of more permanent bus lanes may lead to loss of customers and revenue for Glebe businesses, the local BIA executive director says.

On March 30, the city’s public works and infrastructure committee will decide whether a plan to install permanent and “time-of-day” bus lanes along parts of Bank Street between the Rideau Canal and Highway 417 will come into effect next year.

The 15-month pilot project, which would run from summer 2027 to the fourth quarter of 2028, would see 17 on-street parking spaces removed to make way for four permanent 24-hour bus lanes on Bank Street at Fourth Avenue, Fifth Avenue and near Lansdowne Park. The report to the committee also recommends further restricting segments of the street to buses-only during peak hours in the morning (7 a.m. to 10 a.m., northbound) and evening (3 p.m. to 6 p.m., southbound).

The recommendations come as Ottawa residents call for better transit reliability and improved active transportation modes, but Darrell Cox, executive director of the Glebe BIA, told OBJ on Friday that the BIA and its members are concerned about what these changes might mean for Bank Street businesses.

“A lot of our members rely on those spaces close to their storefronts for short-term visits, deliveries and, especially now, UberEats,” Cox said of the plan to remove the 17 on-street parking spaces. “The other thing we need to consider is an ageing population. This is an accessible parking issue as well.”

The BIA has put out a petition against the changes that has already garnered 65 signatures, Cox said. “While we support any initiatives that are going to help improve public transportation and active transportation, it can’t be at the expense of the business community.”

Removing on-street parking could have a lasting impact on businesses, he added.

“By removing those spaces, you’re not just taking away 17 spots. What you have to take into account is that (those) 17 spaces are being used over the course of the day. So that could be a couple hundred customers. What’s the potential negative revenue loss from having fewer customers being able to park in the Glebe?”

Cox said the biggest impact will be felt by the businesses along the no-parking segments between Fourth and Fifth avenues and between Fifth Avenue and Regent Street, such as Mad Radish, Yolks, The Papery and Mickle Macks Haberdashery.

The Glebe already has a reputation as a hard-to-park area, Cox argued, and this plan would only exacerbate that problem.

“Businesses are very concerned about that. There’s always that fear, that concern, that people will just go, ‘Well, I’m going to Bayshore (Shopping Centre) or St. Laurent (Shopping Centre),’” he said, adding that Bank Street businesses are already feeling the sting from post-pandemic online shopping habits.

Cox said there is data to show that removing on-street parking spaces can hurt revenues, and added that he hasn’t seen positive data to back this plan.

“What I find rather confusing is that there’s no specific number in the staff report that says (this plan brings) a moderate decrease in travel time … So do we really need to be making all of these changes at the risk of revenue loss to our business community?”

The project comes with a price tag of more than $2.5 million. It is not a priority for the BIA, Cox said, adding that those city funds could be better used elsewhere.

“Ottawa Police Services has reached out to us about … how they can support us because we’re all seeing an increase in crime and theft. We’re seeing an increase in open drug use, now having to collect needles. We would like to see that money be directed to Ottawa Police Services so they can have more of a police presence in the neighbourhood.

“The mayor is committing to reduce youth homelessness by 2030 (and) $2.5 million can play a large role in contributing towards housing,” Cox said.

https://obj.ca/glebe-bia-increased-police-presence-over-bus-lanes-bank-st/

[phil235]

BIA’s are their own worst enemies. They consistently take positions like this that alienate their best and most loyal customers, residents who shop locally and support transit improvements. Then they make comments about how hard it is to park (as someone who does virtually all of his shopping in the neighbourhood I can assure you it isn’t) and how they need more police to address safety issues (which are minimal at best). So the plan is to annoy local customers and warn everyone else about how bad things are in the neighbourhood? All because the city is suggesting a trial rush-hour only bus lane? Good work!

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by phil235

BIA’s are their own worst enemies. They consistently take positions like this that alienate their best and most loyal customers, residents who shop locally and support transit improvements. Then they make comments about how hard it is to park (as someone who does virtually all of his shopping in the neighbourhood I can assure you it isn’t) and how they need more police to address safety issues (which are minimal at best). So the plan is to annoy local customers and warn everyone else about how bad things are in the neighbourhood? All because the city is suggesting a trial rush-hour only bus lane? Good work!

We go to the Glebe several times a year and always drive and park. We don't even bother with street parking and go directly to the City of Ottawa parking garage. Never had an issue (other than getting a ticket once on a Sunday for going over our time when the parking garage was mostly empty, but that's on us).

It's only a problem during Lansdowne events, which could be solved with, wait for it... bus lanes to encourage taking transit.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

It's only a problem during Lansdowne events, which could be solved with, wait for it... bus lanes to encourage taking transit.

Yep, and even for the big Lansdowne events with 25k, it is still easy to find parking anywhere north of Second. I never understand the people who circle endlessly within a block of Lansdowne when you can go 500m and park with no issues.