Chief William Commanda Bridge (former Prince of Wales Bridge) - Page 78

dougvdh · #**1541** Posted **Dec 14, 2024, 9:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzptichka

Meanwhile, the bridge right now is probably the safest place for pedestrians in Ottawa.

I rode across today as part of the big fat biking loop. On the scale of 1 - 10 (1 being the least sketchy conditions and 10 being the most) of surfaces I rode today, the bridge was a solid 2.5. And everything else was officially open for winter use.

dougvdh · #**1542** Posted **Dec 14, 2024, 9:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougvdh

I rode across today as part of the big fat biking loop. On the scale of 1 - 10 (1 being the least sketchy conditions and 10 being the most) of surfaces I rode today, the bridge was a solid 2.5. And everything else was officially open for winter use.

Edit: City legal should probably get their parking spots at city hall taken away. Make them walk and take the buses so that their perspectives are little more grounded in winter reality.

Uhuniau · #**1543** Posted **Dec 16, 2024, 3:57 PM**

The bridge was actually kinda *busy* on Saturday, with walkers, dog-walkers, joggers, photographers, and even the occasional cyclist.

So I hear.

Uhuniau · #**1544** Posted **Dec 16, 2024, 4:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougvdh

I rode across today as part of the big fat biking loop. On the scale of 1 - 10 (1 being the least sketchy conditions and 10 being the most) of surfaces I rode today, the bridge was a solid 2.5. And everything else was officially open for winter use.

The same pattern is happening this year as last year: the south span is terrible at holding onto its snow, the north span is almost self-cleaning entirely.

On the south span, you can see how the gaps between the planks encourage the snow and ice pack to dissipate from below, in addition to the erosion and dissipation from above.

And really, the only places where there is ice worth worrying about is where the snow was compacted by human activity, went through free-thaw cycles last week, and both. Simply shoveling the snow from one side to the other would keep a clear path clear, and maybe also salvage temporary snow packs for snow users. I don't think a seasonal pack is possible, and at least so far (with not much snowfall and drift to go on, yet), the fences don't seem to be making much difference.

zzptichka · #**1545** Posted **Dec 16, 2024, 5:22 PM**

At this point I want the city to just forget about it. Before they either ruin it with salt and snow plows, or waste a million dollars on some stupid shit like installing chicken wire all the way around it.

Let them pretend they care about us and we'll pretend we are not using it.

Uhuniau · #**1546** Posted **Dec 16, 2024, 6:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzptichka

At this point I want the city to just forget about it. Before they either ruin it with salt and snow plows, or waste a million dollars on some stupid shit like installing chicken wire all the way around it.

Let them pretend they care about us and we'll pretend we are not using it.

There is no need to salt anything. There really isn't. A gentle plowing or shovelling, with or without attempting to salvage the snow, will do.

VANRIDERFAN · #**1547** Posted **Dec 16, 2024, 8:02 PM**

The city could easily maintain the bridge in winter with these types of attachments.

zzptichka · #**1548** Posted **Dec 16, 2024, 8:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

There is no need to salt anything. There really isn't. A gentle plowing or shovelling, with or without attempting to salvage the snow, will do.

For sure. But I'm sure there is a lawyer in the city hall somewhere who will tell you it's not enough to hold up in court or something.

Kitchissippi · #**1549** Posted **Dec 16, 2024, 8:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzptichka

For sure. But I'm sure there is a lawyer in the city hall somewhere who will tell you it's not enough to hold up in court or something.

If the Provincial government can immunize itself from deaths caused by bike lane removals, surely the city can protect itself from snowflake-related injuries?

phil235 · #**1550** Posted **Dec 16, 2024, 8:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzptichka

For sure. But I'm sure there is a lawyer in the city hall somewhere who will tell you it's not enough to hold up in court or something.

I think you vastly overestimate the power of lawyers in government. I suspect that this is budgetary and nothing more.

skyscraperaccount · #**1551** Posted **Dec 16, 2024, 9:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

Are insurance costs keeping the bridges closed? I have no doubt that insurance is rising at a pace beyond what is allowed by the city budget.

Its almost like cities should banned together accross the country and self insure (or get rid of for profit insurance in the first place)

Uhuniau · #**1552** Posted **Dec 16, 2024, 11:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANRIDERFAN

The city could easily maintain the bridge in winter with these types of attachments.

Yup. Would probably "waste" snow for the attempts at snow salvage, but yup.

phil235 · #**1553** Posted **Dec 17, 2024, 12:09 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyscraperaccount

Its almost like cities should banned together accross the country and self insure (or get rid of for profit insurance in the first place)

Do cities buy commercial insurance for something like a bridge?

J.OT13 · #**1554** Posted **Dec 17, 2024, 1:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzptichka

For sure. But I'm sure there is a lawyer in the city hall somewhere who will tell you it's not enough to hold up in court or something.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

If the Provincial government can immunize itself from deaths caused by bike lane removals, surely the city can protect itself from snowflake-related injuries?

Funny how pedestrian bridges and stairs are closed off to avoid lawsuits, but badly designed bike infrastructure and poorly maintained sidewalks and roads are lawsuit proof.

Kitchissippi · #**1555** Posted **Dec 18, 2024, 1:33 PM**

In other news, they’ve temporarily opened the partially competed Churchill underpass on the KZM Parkway for the winter trail. Strange how this city works.

Uhuniau · #**1556** Posted **Dec 18, 2024, 2:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

In other news, they’ve temporarily opened the partially competed Churchill underpass on the KZM Parkway for the winter trail. Strange how this city works.

ZOMG wow! Gonna have to go for a stroll some weekend.

skyscraperaccount · #**1557** Posted **Dec 18, 2024, 4:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

ZOMG wow! Gonna have to go for a stroll some weekend.

KZM becoming the new PIN number.

dougvdh · #**1558** Posted **Dec 18, 2024, 6:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

In other news, they’ve temporarily opened the partially competed Churchill underpass on the KZM Parkway for the winter trail. Strange how this city works.

That's not the City. The NCC has a completely mindset with respect to winter activity liability.

Kitchissippi · #**1559** Posted **Dec 19, 2024, 3:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougvdh

That's not the City. The NCC has a completely mindset with respect to winter activity liability.

According to Dave at KSWTrail, it was a joint effort by the city and KEV Stage2 LRT. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDsG5AYRnBX

zzptichka · #**1560** Posted **Dec 21, 2024, 11:51 PM**

They changed the padlocks with bigger ones and closed it again. Wonder how long will these last.

Meanwhile people are repurposing "Do not jump" signs. Love it.