Category: Bayview

Bayview, condos, DOTT, intensificatioin, LRT, oc Transpo, ottawa river, Richmond road, Scott street, Transit1 Comment

West LRT – the Loblaws option

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David James is a blog reader with some keen observations on the merits of various DOTT and west LRT proposals. You will frequently find his intelligent comments on my posts, gently pointing out the error of my ways. David isn’t particularly a fan of the “Loblaws” route I outlined yesterday, but he kindly drew up a drawing illustrating the route, and provided some commentary on its merits. The top right of the illustration below starts the route beside the 30 storey condo tower Minto built a few years ago. Underground, it swings onto McRae, under the Loblaws parking lot, and westward under Byron Road or … Continue reading West LRT – the Loblaws option

Bayview, Carling Ave, condos, DOTT, intensificatioin, LeBreton Flats, LRT, O-Train, oc Transpo, Richmond road, Scott street, Westboro Collection13 Comments

West LRT, part iv, the Scott/Byron route

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The Scott Byron route starts at Bayview and re-uses the Scott corridor transitway trench to Dominion Station. It uses a toenail of the parkway until it can swing inland at Rochester Field, near the Kegg Manor and gardens. At some point, it would cease being a surface rail line and become cut and cover along the Byron right of way. It is important to notice that the Byron option does not necessitate cut and cover through the dog-walk greenspace that used to be the streetcar right of way. It might be cut and cover under Richmond Road, or under Byron Avenue itself. Byron could certainly use … Continue reading West LRT, part iv, the Scott/Byron route

Bayview, DOTT, intensificatioin, LRT, NCC, O-Train, oc Transpo, ottawa river, Scott street, Transit5 Comments

West LRT, part iii, Ottawa River corridor

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It might be best to read part i and part ii, already posted. If you are a keener, the comments received are also worth reading. Now, for part iii … The Bayview Station is located at the top right. It is a future transit hub, with service extending south along the OTrain corridor; north via the Prince of Wales Bridge (possibly as rail, possibly doubled in width as a STO rapibus BRT route with a station at Bayview); east to the downtown; and west to Barrhaven and Kanata. Usually ignored, is the walk-in potential of Bayview Station: because there are no houses immediately adjacent, in … Continue reading West LRT, part iii, Ottawa River corridor

Bayview, Bayview Otrain, Carling Ave, Dalhousie, DOTT, hintonburg, housing policy, intensificatioin, LRT, NCC, O-Train, ottawa river, Prince of Wales Bridge, Richmond road, Scott street, Transit7 Comments

Western Leg, LRT (from Bayview to Lincoln Fields via ???)

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The city has set up a stakeholders group to contribute to its process of finding how the LRT will get from Bayview (or Tunney’s) to Lincoln Fields. Options include the Ottawa River NCC lands, the Otrain-Carling route, the Churchill-Carling route, and the transitway-Byron route. All options have very different features for transit users and the adjacent communities. Continue reading Western Leg, LRT (from Bayview to Lincoln Fields via ???)

Bayview, cycling in Ottawa, pedestrians5 Comments

Sidewalk to No-where

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the sidewalk on the west side of Sliddel approaching the Ottawa River Commuter Expressway The sidewalk on the east side of Sliddel Sliddel is a little street that connects the new trafic roundabout at Bayview-Burnside to the Ottawa River Commuter Expressway. As shown, it has sidewalk stubs that sort of die as they approach the NCC lands. The City and NCC had no apparent problems with deciding where to put cars, curbs, traffic signals, and sod. They have lots more problems with pedestrians and cyclists. Why dont the sidewalks go right out the traffic lights where people cross? According to … Continue reading Sidewalk to No-where

Bayview, cycling in Ottawa, pedestrians

Sidewalk to No-where

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the sidewalk on the west side of Sliddel approaching the Ottawa River Commuter Expressway The sidewalk on the east side of Sliddel Sliddel is a little street that connects the new trafic roundabout at Bayview-Burnside to the Ottawa River Commuter Expressway. As shown, it has sidewalk stubs that sort of die as they approach the NCC lands. The City and NCC had no apparent problems with deciding where to put cars, curbs, traffic signals, and sod. They have lots more problems with pedestrians and cyclists. Why dont the sidewalks go right out the traffic lights where people cross? According to … Continue reading Sidewalk to No-where

Bayview, cycling in Ottawa, interprovincial transit study6 Comments

Lemieux Island area (iv)

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At the south (Ottawa) end of the Prince of Wales railway bridge over the Ottawa River, the City has installed large gates & fences to keep peds and cyclists from using the bridge as a shortcut to Gatineau. Thwarted peds have kicked down the fence, whose posts were bolted into concrete, etc etc. There is a security guard on the Gatineau side, 24/7. If someone crosses the bridge, he points out the fence is there to keep people off because it is dangerous to use the bridge. So he sends the ped or cyclist back to the Ottawa side. There is … Continue reading Lemieux Island area (iv)

Bayview, cycling in Ottawa, interprovincial transit study

Lemieux Island area (iv)

Westsideaction

At the south (Ottawa) end of the Prince of Wales railway bridge over the Ottawa River, the City has installed large gates & fences to keep peds and cyclists from using the bridge as a shortcut to Gatineau. Thwarted peds have kicked down the fence, whose posts were bolted into concrete, etc etc. There is a security guard on the Gatineau side, 24/7. If someone crosses the bridge, he points out the fence is there to keep people off because it is dangerous to use the bridge. So he sends the ped or cyclist back to the Ottawa side. There is … Continue reading Lemieux Island area (iv)

Bayview, streetscaping5 Comments

Lemieux Island area (i)

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The area of Ottawa near Lemieux Island is full of little mysteries. Shown above is River Street (no road signs…) which connects the Ottawa River Commuter Expressway to Lemieux Island. The road was recently rebuilt and seed sprayed on both sides after years of digging it up for the high pressure watermains. The sides are fenced to keep cars from using them for Bluesfest parking. South of the parkway/expressway, the little street is now named Sliddel, it runs past the city parking branch offices to the new traffic roundabout that makes a three point meeting of Sliddel with Bayview and Burnside Road. This is … Continue reading Lemieux Island area (i)

Bayview, streetscaping

Lemieux Island area (i)

Westsideaction

The area of Ottawa near Lemieux Island is full of little mysteries. Shown above is River Street (no road signs…) which connects the Ottawa River Commuter Expressway to Lemieux Island. The road was recently rebuilt and seed sprayed on both sides after years of digging it up for the high pressure watermains. The sides are fenced to keep cars from using them for Bluesfest parking. South of the parkway/expressway, the little street is now named Sliddel, it runs past the city parking branch offices to the new traffic roundabout that makes a three point meeting of Sliddel with Bayview and Burnside Road. This is … Continue reading Lemieux Island area (i)

Bayview, Bayview Otrain, downtown, interprovincial transit study, LeBreton Flats, LRT, NCC, O-Train, Uncategorized3 Comments

Interprovincial transit opportunity to choose your mode

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Prince of Wales rail bridge from Ottawa to Gatineau Tuesday from 5.30 to 8.30 at City Hall (main floor) there will be a public display of the options for interprovincial transit between Ottawa and Gatineau. Options include which mode of transit to use: Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) or LRT. Route options include connections via the Alexandra Bridge (or under it, in a tunnel under the river, and remember the tunnel under downtown Ottawa is already very deep down so this doesn’t require a steep slope, and the Rideau station has been designed with this connection in mind); a west connection on the Prince … Continue reading Interprovincial transit opportunity to choose your mode

Bayview, Bayview Otrain, downtown, interprovincial transit study, LeBreton Flats, LRT, NCC, O-Train

Interprovincial transit opportunity to choose your mode

Westsideaction

Prince of Wales rail bridge from Ottawa to Gatineau Tuesday from 5.30 to 8.30 at City Hall (main floor) there will be a public display of the options for interprovincial transit between Ottawa and Gatineau. Options include which mode of transit to use: Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) or LRT. Route options include connections via the Alexandra Bridge (or under it, in a tunnel under the river, and remember the tunnel under downtown Ottawa is already very deep down so this doesn’t require a steep slope, and the Rideau station has been designed with this connection in mind); a west connection on the Prince … Continue reading Interprovincial transit opportunity to choose your mode

Bayview, cycling in Ottawa1 Comment

Driving in Circles

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A traffic circle is being installed at the intersection of Bayview/Burnside/River Street, in the Bayview Yards area, between Larouche Park and the old city sewer works yards that back onto the Ottawa River Parkway and Lemieux Island. I am hoping the centre of the circle will be planted with trees. Pedestrian crossings are on the ‘straight stretches’ a few meters outside the circle and permit peds to cross the street one lane at a time taking refuge on the triangular islands. Only three streets arrive at the circle, sort of like a Y. Each street is only one lane, so … Continue reading Driving in Circles

Bayview, cycling in Ottawa

Driving in Circles

Westsideaction

A traffic circle is being installed at the intersection of Bayview/Burnside/River Street, in the Bayview Yards area, between Larouche Park and the old city sewer works yards that back onto the Ottawa River Parkway and Lemieux Island. I am hoping the centre of the circle will be planted with trees. Pedestrian crossings are on the ‘straight stretches’ a few meters outside the circle and permit peds to cross the street one lane at a time taking refuge on the triangular islands. Only three streets arrive at the circle, sort of like a Y. Each street is only one lane, so … Continue reading Driving in Circles

Bayview, DOTT, LRT, oc Transpo5 Comments

Bus Traffic on Scott/Albert

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Presuming the conversion of the transitway from buses to LRT goes ahead after the upcoming municipal election — and this is a big presumption since Watson, for one, is running on a platform of reexamining not just the tunnel component but even whether we should have LRT service at all (he seems to favour perpetual bus service)— there will be many transitioning issues to deal with. One contentious issue is what to do with the buses that currently run on the transitway while the road is being removed and rails and LRT stations are being installed. This was a big … Continue reading Bus Traffic on Scott/Albert

Bayview, DOTT, LRT, oc Transpo

Bus Traffic on Scott/Albert

Westsideaction

Presuming the conversion of the transitway from buses to LRT goes ahead after the upcoming municipal election — and this is a big presumption since Watson, for one, is running on a platform of reexamining not just the tunnel component but even whether we should have LRT service at all (he seems to favour perpetual bus service)— there will be many transitioning issues to deal with. One contentious issue is what to do with the buses that currently run on the transitway while the road is being removed and rails and LRT stations are being installed. This was a big … Continue reading Bus Traffic on Scott/Albert

Bayview, Bayview-Carling CDP, bike path, little Italy

Bayview-Carling CDP Re-Activated !

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Along the OTrain corridor is this hidden gem. After a long struggle by residents and the neighborhood associations (the Dalhousie Community Association and the Hintonburg Community Association), and with much behind-the-scenes pushing by the concerned Councillors Holmes and Leadman, the Bayview-Carling Community Design Plan has been reactivated by the city. The focus of the plan is Bayview Station to Carling Avenue, along the OTrain track, which is currently the subject of a development frenzy by condo and office developers who feel the time is right for the rebirth of this former industrial zone. No doubt some of the “time is … Continue reading Bayview-Carling CDP Re-Activated !

Bayview, cycling in Ottawa, hintonburg, streetscaping, Trees

Potted Tree Planting

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Tom Brown arena got new front entry paving and landscaping courtesy of the water main installation along Bayview Road. The old front entry had a large concrete planter with low walls. Trees in it rooted right into the underlying soil. A sign on it indicated Tom Brown’s ghost or a concerned neighbor maintained the planting bed. The new entry treatment has lots and lots of trees. I love this aggressive tree planting. One tree philosophy, I’m told, is to plant too many trees in the expectation that some will die. Rather than come back and replace them (which is expensive), they just … Continue reading Potted Tree Planting

Bayview, pedestrians, streetscaping

Pedestrian desires ignored

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The City is pretty much finished its reconstruction, streetscaping, and traffic calming work along Bayview Avenue near Scott. The picture above is of the recently sodded field between Tom Brown arena and the Bayview/Scott/Albert intersection. The dividing line between the old field (left) and new sod (centre) is obvious. Notice how pedestrians cut across the field starting right at the end of the steel crash barrier along the road. The barrier effectively discourages many pedestrians from taking even shorter short cuts; as soon as the barrier ends, a few paths appear immediately. There is a city sidewalk, but it goes … Continue reading Pedestrian desires ignored

Bayview, Plouffe Park, Preston street, streetscaping

Paying for Water Etc.

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Ken Gray over at The Bulldog blog cites the following from a Conference Board study:  “Water charges based on the value of property-or any other fixed measure that is not directly related to water consumption-cannot provide consumers with clear price signals,” said Len Coad, Director, Environment, Energy and Technology. “A cultural shift is required in how we manage our water system. Instead of relying on the tax base and allowing users to pay a below-cost price, those who use the service should pay the full cost of water, including capital expenditures.” I agree fully. The genius of our society is … Continue reading Paying for Water Etc.

Bayview, bike path, ottawa river

Gates of Lemieux Island re-installed

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The access road to Lemieux Island water plant has been badly torn up for the construction of the high pressure water mains to the Island. Finally, the road is reappearing, although as you can see from a careful examination of the photo the new road is relocated to the left. During the construction, the ornate gates — which look like they belong to Her Highness the GG instead of here — were removed and this shows the eastern side gate and pailings reinstalled. Continue reading Gates of Lemieux Island re-installed

Bayview, DOTT, LeBreton Flats, LRT, NCC

Dalhousie Community Assoc responds …

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Wearing my other hat, and with much input from other members of the Dalhousie Community Association board, the DCA sent two letters. One to the Marie Lemay of the NCC regarding the bad idea for bringing Rapibus to Ottawa over the POW bridge; and the other is detailed comments on the current state of the Downtown Ottawa Transit Tunnel study. You can read both of these letters at http://www.dalhousiecommunityassociation.blogspot.com/ Continue reading Dalhousie Community Assoc responds …

Bayview, interprovincial transit study, LeBreton Flats, LRT, Prince of Wales Bridge, Transit

NCC to Quebecers: Back [on the] Bus

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  Proposed modernist Bayview LRT station is elevated and long. The proposed STO bus terminal would be off the left. Click to enlarge photo. Planning in a Federal capital region is not just about good planning on utilitarian “planning’ terms. A good chunk of it is political planning and symbolism too. In the past,  separatist elements in Quebec made hay from the disparate images of the Quebec side of the river (low rise, lower income housing, industrial mills) and the Ottawa side of the river (shiny high rises set high on a green hill). They drew a direct line to the … Continue reading NCC to Quebecers: Back [on the] Bus