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The city is bracing for increased traffic as federal workers in Ottawa return to the office four days a week and students head back to class this fall.
To support commutes, parking and transit, the city has assembled a “targeted transportation plan,” though at least one councillor doubts whether it will work.
On July 14, council will consider the plan, proposing 48 enhancements to transportation throughout the city.
“This is to prepare for an expected increase in traffic this fall, as federal employees assume an increased in-office presence and classes resume at all levels throughout the region,” wrote Debbie Stewart, general manager of the city’s strategic initiatives department, in a memo to council Thursday.
“This plan is designed to make traffic flow better for all our residents.”
Many of these recommendations would be rolled out in phases over the summer and fall.
Public transit improvements
The plan suggests various changes to OC Transpo route frequency and routes, including more frequent O-Train service, improvements to para transport systems, new express bus routes and improved connections from park-and-ride locations.
These changes would aim to enhance service reliability, increase train capacity and shorten wait times.
The plan also proposes increased service on certain bus routes, including E1 shuttle express buses and routes 5, 13, 24, 39, 61, 62, 63, 66, 74, 75, 98 and 256.
Major employment areas like Carling Campus and Kanata North would see targeted service improvements, as well as new trips on route 13 to Terrasses de la Chaudière in Gatineau.
Traffic improvements
The plan proposes several ideas to reduce construction disruptions, minimize and manage congestion and limit road closures.
These include installing additional traffic cameras, increasing traffic enforcement in certain areas including bus lanes and no stopping zones, accelerating or rescheduling construction projects that affect key routes and completing construction in the evenings and off-peak times.
Other measures aim to improve cycling and walking infrastructure and improve parking.
Walkers and cyclists could benefit from better map and trip-planning tools promoting cycle pathways and pedestrian paths, the plan says.
Rideau-Vanier Coun. Stéphanie Plante expressed concern that the plan being considered by council doesn’t mention King Edward Avenue and the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge, which are heavily used by people commuting across the Ottawa River. (Jean Delisle/CBC)Councillors share feedback
Rideau-Vanier Coun. Stéphanie Plante said traffic and congestion downtown is always bad and hopes to see a network of “bus-only lanes” during peak hours.
She’s concerned that the document did not mention King Edward Avenue and the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge, noting that many people who commute across the Ottawa River use this route.
“It was already insanely busy before the pandemic, during the pandemic,” Plante said, adding that she will ask council to focus on that crossing.
Kitchissipi Coun. Jeff Leiper is not confident the city’s plan will work.
“We can only do what we can with the resources that we have in preparation for that return to office date that’s coming in September,” said Leiper, who is also running for mayor.
“The plan is the right one. But as to whether or not we have the transit service that’s going to be able to deliver on the aspirations of that plan, is an entirely different question.”