Roads/Bridges projects/issues

[zzptichka]

Does anyone have any renders/plans for the Chaudière crossing post-reconstruction?

[Harley613]

Quite a scene from the air today with the Booth St. bridge replacement ongoing!

[Harley613]

Real Post-Apocalyptic Vibes here!

[ponyboycurtis]

We have to go back to the drawing board on the road paint we use. Is it really more environmentally friendly when it all wears off in 2 years? (Bay st. renewal was 2020 correct?). All this painted ended up in the storm sewers.

All the road markings are worn off as well. Stop lines and lane markings alike. This is about the average condition of the new Bay st intersections I saw in the CBD area.

I find the worn STOP lines all over town to be particularly egregious.

Oh.. and the one cyclist I saw yesterday heading north was just bombing down the road. I guess he wasn't into the slalom and curbs and those metal bumpy things

The drawing board rarely relates to the real world I suppose.

[lrt's friend]

I watched how we build cycle tracks on our retail streets which become bike expressways amongst the throngs of pedestrians. Get out of my way! Yesterday, a cyclist ignored the brand new cycle track on Rideau (which wanders about) to bomb it straight up the extra wide sidewalk amongst all the pedestrians. And because of the cycle track, we had to get rid of the bus stop that used to be in front of HBC. Clearly some active transport is now a higher priority over more traditional active transport. It isn't always anti-car, but also anti-pedestrian and anti-transit as well.

This wasn't the only observation yesterday. I also watched cyclists using car lanes rather than the adjacent cycle track. I guess there are slow poke cyclists as well although the cycle tracks were mostly empty.

[Catenary]

Originally Posted by ponyboycurtis

We have to go back to the drawing board on the road paint we use. Is it really more environmentally friendly when it all wears off in 2 years? (Bay st. renewal was 2020 correct?). All this painted ended up in the storm sewers.

All the road markings are worn off as well. Stop lines and lane markings alike. This is about the average condition of the new Bay st intersections I saw in the CBD area.

I find the worn STOP lines all over town to be particularly egregious.

Oh.. and the one cyclist I saw yesterday heading north was just bombing down the road. I guess he wasn't into the slalom and curbs and those metal bumpy things

The drawing board rarely relates to the real world I suppose.

The green markings aren't paint, they are sheets of thermoplastic applied to the road surface with a torch. The sheets have the bicycle symbol pre-cut so they're easy to work with, but they're susceptible to snow plow damage as you can see.

For the other transverse markings like crosswalks and stop lines, there are other options. Thermoplastic (pre-formed or liquid) and 2-part MMA are common, but are expensive to apply and require new equipment.

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

I watched how we build cycle tracks on our retail streets which become bike expressways amongst the throngs of pedestrians. Get out of my way! Yesterday, a cyclist ignored the brand new cycle track on Rideau (which wanders about) to bomb it straight up the extra wide sidewalk amongst all the pedestrians. And because of the cycle track, we had to get rid of the bus stop that used to be in front of HBC. Clearly some active transport is now a higher priority over more traditional active transport. It isn't always anti-car, but also anti-pedestrian and anti-transit as well.

This wasn't the only observation yesterday. I also watched cyclists using car lanes rather than the adjacent cycle track. I guess there are slow poke cyclists as well although the cycle tracks were mostly empty.

The bus stop in front of HBC moved just down in front of the train station. It still aligns with a crosswalk to the mall, hard to see it as a downgrade.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

This wasn't the only observation yesterday. I also watched cyclists using car lanes rather than the adjacent cycle track. I guess there are slow poke cyclists as well although the cycle tracks were mostly empty.

I've noticed that too, but here's a video that sheds some light on that question:

• Video Link

[RuralCitizen]

Should we consider providing a passing lane on bike paths?

What I find crazy double standard is when construction vehicles park on the bike lanes when there's road work. Parking a bicycle in the middle of the road would never be tolerated even though both are considered vehicles under the traffic code.

When there's construction, normally they deviate car lanes. If a road is closed, they provide detour. But they don't always provide this for bikes.

[hwy418]

Originally Posted by RuralCitizen

If a road is closed, they provide detour. But they don't always provide this for bikes.

Providing pedestrian and cycling detours during construction is pretty well standard practice nowadays and is built-into contract documents. Contractors are required to provide Traffic Management and Traffic Control Plans in order to receive a Roadcut Permit (authority to proceed to construction).

[Fading Isle]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

I watched how we build cycle tracks on our retail streets which become bike expressways amongst the throngs of pedestrians. Get out of my way! Yesterday, a cyclist ignored the brand new cycle track on Rideau (which wanders about) to bomb it straight up the extra wide sidewalk amongst all the pedestrians. And because of the cycle track, we had to get rid of the bus stop that used to be in front of HBC. Clearly some active transport is now a higher priority over more traditional active transport. It isn't always anti-car, but also anti-pedestrian and anti-transit as well.

This wasn't the only observation yesterday. I also watched cyclists using car lanes rather than the adjacent cycle track. I guess there are slow poke cyclists as well although the cycle tracks were mostly empty.

I might be wrong, as I haven't been in that area since last year, but doesn't the cycle track on Rideau meander for one block and then end? I don't know why anyone traveling further than one block on Rideau would use it.

The biggest factors I've noticed influencing when people will or will not use a cycle track are:
1. if it is continuous (can't just randomly start and stop),
2. if it is direct (doesn't meander to different sides of the street for no apparent reason or take really out of the way routes), and
3. if it has easy entry and exit from both directions (to access the Rideau cycle track from the west you need to stop at the crosswalk and walk your bike to the north side of Rideau to access it and likewise from the east you need to do the opposite).

Riding on the sidewalk on Rideau though is just plain stupid.

[RuralCitizen]

Originally Posted by hwy418

Providing pedestrian and cycling detours during construction is pretty well standard practice nowadays and is built-into contract documents. Contractors are required to provide Traffic Management and Traffic Control Plans in order to receive a Roadcut Permit (authority to proceed to construction).

It must have been construction unrelated to road then. I have definitely seen vehicles parked on the bike lanes/sidewalks before.

[TransitZilla]

Originally Posted by Fading Isle

I might be wrong, as I haven't been in that area since last year, but doesn't the cycle track on Rideau meander for one block and then end? I don't know why anyone traveling further than one block on Rideau would use it.

The biggest factors I've noticed influencing when people will or will not use a cycle track are:
1. if it is continuous (can't just randomly start and stop),
2. if it is direct (doesn't meander to different sides of the street for no apparent reason or take really out of the way routes), and
3. if it has easy entry and exit from both directions (to access the Rideau cycle track from the west you need to stop at the crosswalk and walk your bike to the north side of Rideau to access it and likewise from the east you need to do the opposite).

Riding on the sidewalk on Rideau though is just plain stupid.

I thought lrt's friend's rant was a bit bizarre; does he oppose bike lanes? Would it be preferable if they were car lanes instead? The cycle lanes on Rideau are close to street level and bikes are certainly travelling slower than cars would be.

I think the Rideau cycle tracks are intended to connect the Wellington bikeway to the west (planned to be on the north side of Wellington) with the Market and link up to a Nicholas St bikeway to the east (planned to be on the west side of Nicholas). The problem is that neither the west or east connections have been built yet. I hope they get built sooner than later! They will make a world of difference.

[LRTeverywhere]

Originally Posted by TransitZilla

I think the Rideau cycle tracks are intended to connect the Wellington bikeway to the west (planned to be on the north side of Wellington) with the Market and link up to a Nicholas St bikeway to the east (planned to be on the west side of Nicholas). The problem is that neither the west or east connections have been built yet. I hope they get built sooner than later! They will make a world of difference.

I think in addition to that as well there will be some sort of facility down Besserer St paralell to Rideau until the bridge / Montreal Rd

[TransitZilla]

Originally Posted by LRTeverywhere

I think in addition to that as well there will be some sort of facility down Besserer St paralell to Rideau until the bridge / Montreal Rd

I certainly agree that there should be! Very similar to the "Off-Broadway" bike route in Vancouver following W 8th.

[ponyboycurtis]

Cycle tracks and intersection improvements have now made their way east as far as Holland starting from Churchill. Although this section isn't entirely complete we have a continuous bike path on both sides of Scott. I like that the northern side of the road has the cycle track shared with the sidewalk but separated by rumble strips. I noticed the new path along the aquaduct from Pimisi to the water? has something similar although I didn't actually walk on in.

The NCC needs to re-do all of the river walkways and canals in this fashion.

I would love to see some proper trees and landscaping on the north side of Scott, between the road and the path in particular. There is also an absence of benches and trash cans. For the most part the only trees along that side are scrub that has grown in the crack of the concrete curb and fence that line the transitway, nothing that was actually planted.

Either way Scott is improving. I look forward to the temporary busway being removed past Churchill and continuous access to the water being properly restored.

[LRTeverywhere]

Originally Posted by ponyboycurtis

Cycle tracks and intersection improvements have now made their way east as far as Holland starting from Churchill. Although this section isn't entirely complete we have a continuous bike path on both sides of Scott. I like that the northern side of the road has the cycle track shared with the sidewalk but separated by rumble strips. I noticed the new path along the aquaduct from Pimisi to the water? has something similar although I didn't actually walk on in.

The NCC needs to re-do all of the river walkways and canals in this fashion.

Starting this spring as well they will be building protected intersections at Parkdale, Cruthers and Bayview Station Rd. Lanes between will remain for now but upgraded to cycle tracks in the future.

The ncc does have a plan to seperate cyclists and pedestrians along the sjam parkway, but its going to be piecemeal for a while it seems. The oppurtunity to do it all in one go with stage 2 lrt didn't get acted upon.
Next section to be done will be Westboro Beach with the reconstruction project currently underway.

[ponyboycurtis]

Originally Posted by LRTeverywhere

Starting this spring as well they will be building protected intersections at Parkdale, Cruthers and Bayview Station Rd. Lanes between will remain for now but upgraded to cycle tracks in the future.

The ncc does have a plan to seperate cyclists and pedestrians along the sjam parkway, but its going to be piecemeal for a while it seems. The oppurtunity to do it all in one go with stage 2 lrt didn't get acted upon.
Next section to be done will be Westboro Beach with the reconstruction project currently underway.

That's good to hear and I figured it would be in the works eventually. The eastern side of the canal could really use that treatment as well assuming Col. By will stay open to cars. Adding a two way raised cycle track alongside the roadway would also be an acceptable option. If anything the NCC might prefer that to preserve the sanctity of the precious canal. God forbid people get close and enjoy it.

I'm sure there is an existing plans/discussions on matter. Just voicing the thoughts I have right now.

[ponyboycurtis]

My gripe with the lack of asset maintenance continues.



The lower handrail should have a continuous run of LED lights.



Of 165 segments as of last night 8 were functioning.

Per correspondence with Riley Brockington on Sept 29th, 2021, there were 34 segments lit up. He gave me no indication these lights will be repaired and the contractor merely stated the lights ended up not being suited for Ottawas climate.

This bridge looked pretty sharp after a couple attempts at building it. Shame to see a defining feature left to rot. Glad to see they are ear marking money to twin the aviation parkway though. Which runs parallel to a $1B train line.

Aviation is never congested to the point it's an issue IMO.

[Catenary]

Originally Posted by ponyboycurtis

Aviation is never congested to the point it's an issue IMO.

I assume you meant to say Airport, but I agree. The only congestion I encounter is that the SB exit to Hunt Club backs up sometimes, blocking the through lanes. This could be solved by extending the exit lane back further for more storage at a much lower cost than actually twinning the roadway.

[Harley613]

Rochester bridge replacement as of 3pm this afternoon