Transportation and Infrastructure Report: 2025-02
Submitted by Tom Scott
Greenfield, Main, Hawthorne Project Update
The neighbourhoods north of the Queensway certainly have appreciated the break over the past month and snow clearing seems to be working well over the temporary surfaces.
Two other projects are underway nearby: MTO’s repair work to the east side of the 417 Bridge at the canal and NCC’s work on replacement lighting along the same area. Both have served to close the lower part of the multi-use pathway although the upper sidewalk on the east side of CBD seems to be still open for active transportation. Temporary wayfaring signs don’t appear to be in place to guide detours.
We are not sure what coordination has been arranged with these projects if they stretch into the spring, and especially if North Main and Greenfield are reduced again for GMH project renewal. We understood from GIP staff that some minor work is planned to pick up again shortly as well. If all three projects are still underway at the same time this spring, then it might appear that detours, and especially for active transportation, would have to be more carefully planned and controlled.
The new protective bollard at Hawthorne and Main looks pretty haggard, having been hit in the first week of installation and then, it appears, several times more.
Appendix 1 – Email exchange with City on January 30 re: AVTC public consultation
—– Forwarded Message —–
From: Armstrong, Jennifer (Transportation) <jenniferm.armstrong@ottawa.ca>
To: TOM SCOTT <tscot9401@rogers.com>; McLeod, Jonathan <jonathan.mcleod@ottawa.ca>
Cc: Capital Ward <capitalward@ottawa.ca>; Carr, Marty <marty.carr@ottawa.ca>; Info@OttawaEast.ca; Lightman, Deborah <deborah.lightman@ottawa.ca>
Sent: Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 08:42:30 p.m. EST
Subject: RE: AVTC Discussions – OOECA Transportation and Infrastructure
Hi Tom,
Thanks for your feedback on the session last night. I’ve passed your comments on to Deb; for future reference, her e-mail address is deborah.lightman@ottawa.ca. I’ll ask her to follow up with you to provide a summary of her key take-aways from the discussion.
With regards to your question, there are two critical roles that community associations can play in our next round of consultation. First is to review the consultation materials and provide feedback on the proposed projects, as well as the implementation priorities. This is valuable input for our team; community associations give a voice to people who would not otherwise participate in City consultations and help us understand the local needs and priorities. The second is to help get the word out and encourage people to participate in the consultation, whether by attending one of the virtual or in-person events, filling out an on-line survey, or by sharing their thoughts through the TMP inbox. Any assistance you could provide in advertising the consultation, once it launches, would be very much appreciated.
Have a great evening,
Jennifer
Jennifer Armstrong
Acting Director, Transportation Planning
Directrice par intérim, Planification des transports
City of Ottawa | Ville d’Ottawa
* JenniferM.Armstrong@ottawa.ca
From: TOM SCOTT <tscot9401@rogers.com>
Sent: January 29, 2025 9:22 PM
To: Armstrong, Jennifer (Transportation) <jenniferm.armstrong@ottawa.ca>; McLeod, Jonathan <Jonathan.McLeod@ottawa.ca>
Cc: Capital Ward <CapitalWard@ottawa.ca>; Carr, Marty <marty.carr@ottawa.ca>; Info@OttawaEast.ca
Subject: AVTC Discussions – OOECA Transportation and Infrastructure
Good evening Jennifer
Deb Lightman did a wonderful job tonight fielding questions and concerns about the AVTC, some of which stretched well beyond the realm of transportation planning. I don’t have her direct email so please pass this along to her.
I also want to thank to our Councillors, Menard and Carr, for actively participating in such a free-wheeling open house session.
Following up on Mme. Chi’s offer in September of 2024, we wanted to know what role if any a community association could play as your process moves from Phase 4 (post the ODS) to Phase 5 for public engagement, scheduled as she noted to start in March of 2025.
I wanted to paraphrase a comment from a City staffer: ‘what we heard’ is not the same as what we listened to! It would be useful to know what Mme. Lightman took away from this session tonight.
Cheers
Tom Scott
OOECA Transportation and Infrastructure