An important traffic safety upgrade was recently completed on the request of OSCA's Traffic & Safety Committee.

You may have seen or heard that Ottawa's Transportation Committee voted unanimously in favour of a Bank Street Bridge redesign plan. The plan will now go to Council for a final vote. At the Transportation Committee meeting, chair Sue Neill made a submission on behalf of OSCA's Traffic and Safety Committee. Below is the full text.

The Bank Street Canal Bridge has been a source of concern for neighbouring residents for years. At street level, it is unsafe and unpleasant for pedestrians and cyclists. From a distance, the bridge is beautiful with its rounded arches crossing the canal and has a historic designation – it should be a joy to cross, but it is not.

Since he has been in office, Councillor Shawn Menard and his staff have been working with City staff to try and find a solution to the woes of the bridge. Over the summer, he has asked for input to several proposals.

The bridge rehabilitation will involve concrete repairs to the Bank Street Canal Bridge. The works consist of concrete repairs to the bridge piers and arch soffits under the bridge. Options are currently being evaluated for the implementation of a multi-modal transportation system including safer cycling lanes over the bridge.

A reminder to all now that more activity is happening in the neighbourhood: traffic complaints can be reported online at OttawaPolice.ca or by calling 613-236-1222; parking infractions can be reported online or by calling 311.

Capital Ward Councillor Shawn Menard has proposed a redesign of the Bank Street Canal Bridge: three vehicle lanes, two northbound and one southbound, with two widened pathways on either side, thereby improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

The Ottawa Police Service Frontline & Traffic officers are working to address concerns about stunt drivers, street racers, along with the related obnoxious and unnecessary noise associated with this careless and dangerous behaviour. On the weekend of June 20-21, 2020, over 300 charges were laid.

Are you concerned about the increase of speeding and dangerous driving in and around the neighbourhood? The Traffic & Safety Committee reached out to our local Community Police Officer and she pledged to put in a word for increased enforcement. But did you know that OPS primarily respond to data-driven enforcement?

At the time of writing this article (April 23, 2020), traffic is calm in Old Ottawa South. There are fewer cars on the road and the Bank Street Canal Bridge has been re-configured to allow more space for pedestrians and cyclists. Isn’t it wonderful! But we are all looking forward to some degree of normalcy returning to our lives and our streets. Unfortunately some of the traffic and safety issues will return as well. In anticipation, the OSCA Traffic and Safety Committee has developed objectives for 2020/21 and on April 21, 2020, these were endorsed by the OSCA Board of Directors, so work will begin.