As part of the City of Ottawa infrastructure work in the northwestern area of the neighbourhood, a couple new bicycle lanes are being added to the road network. Now in place is the section on Seneca Street, southbound, from Sunnyside to Cameron Avenue.
Pay Heed: Reduced Speed Limit West of Bank!
Old Ottawa South west of Bank Street has hopefully become safer because of a municipal initiative which designates certain neighbourhoods as 30 km/hr gateway speed zones. This new speed limit reduces the previous default speed limit of 40 or 50 km/hr with a new default of 30 km/hr.
In another step towards making Capital Ward the safest place for active transportation in Ottawa, the National Capital Commission (NCC) and the City of Ottawa have come to an Approval in Principle for a new intersection pedestrian signal (IPS) to facilitate crossings of Colonel By Drive at Seneca Street. The crossing point will include a traffic signal to control vehicles on Colonel By Drive, and a pedestrian crosswalk and cycling crossride to access cycling and pedestrian facilities along Seneca Street.
One of the steps being taken by the university to mitigate traffic congestion on campus is the construction of a new road called Stadium Way that will connect Bronson Avenue and University Drive through Parking Lot 5, near Carleton U's Athletic Field, MNP Park. This would be as a right-in, right-out for cars only from Bronson Ave, including a pedestrian sidewalk connection along the north side of Stadium Way, raised pedestrian crosswalks, and street lighting revisions. Construction on Stadium Way begins the week of July 2, 2019.
Traffic and Safety Committee Meeting
Tuesday May 14, 2019 at 12:30 pm
Lounge at the Firehall
Regrets: Winnie Pietrykowski, Brian Ure. Sue will write to Janet Jull.
Members felt that the meeting went well and that the new format was successful.
Erik, Kathy and Sue attended the meeting. Unfortunately, Shawn’s wife became ill so he could not attend. The meeting was positive and laid the groundwork for further collaboration with City staff. See debrief email of May 8, 2019 from Sue to T&S Committee.
The first priority is to meet with Shawn. Sue to try and set up a meeting in the near future. Meetings with the GCA and OOE to follow.
James indicated that he could not take on the full responsibility for the cycling portfolio because he had just started a new job and has young children. However, he is happy to be a contact for cycling and would work on the Cameron bike lane, speed radar/red light cameras and the Bank Street bridge.
Sue will follow up with Brian to determine what is needed to be done.
Sue and Winnie (with Christy) attended a meeting of OSCA, GCA and OOE reps to discuss next steps relating to community input to a report being prepared by OSEG for the City Council. The report will contain recommendations on the future of Lansdowne. Shawn and his staff have prepared some suggestions for discussion. Next meeting is probably May 22, 2019 and will involve OSEG.
Erik received an email from Jama today indicating that students had been hired to gather data and were being trained for the next two weeks.
Councillor and City have made a proposal for the Seneca crossing. It is now with the NCC for consideration and approval.
No report from Winnie but things appear to be in hand for a great event!
Flex sticks are installed to discourage right-hand turns at Bank and the Echo ramp. Discussion of a counterflow bike lane from Bank to Colonel By as proposed by a resident was discussed and considered to be a good idea. This had been discussed with Phil and he is looking into it. This could be a continuation of the flex sticks and would also serve the purpose of keeping cars to the right side of the Echo ramp.
As per our request, Phil is also asking the NCC to indicate on the sign at the bottom of the ramp on Colonel By that the ramp is for Bank St south motorists.
Following from the discussion with Phil, James has prepared a plan showing green paint on the road at all intersections involving the Cameron Bike lane. There is also a dangerous corner at Cameron and Seneca that could benefit from a stop sign for cars turning from Seneca onto Cameron. James will prepare a written proposal for our discussion and subsequent discussion with the Councillor and then forwarded to the City.
It would appear that a decision has been made to have two Gateway speed limit zones in the Capital Ward possibly at 30 km/hr. One would be west of Bank in OOS. Kathy made the case that since 40km is already the limit on the arterial streets through OOS (such as Riverdale, Sunnyside, Bank St) and some streets have specifically opted into this speed reduction from the default 50km/h, with an overall 40km limit throughout the whole neighbourhood, we'd have consistency east & west of Bank St in OOS.
This is to be discussed at the next meeting with Shawn.
The Councillor has indicated that he has submitted several options to the City for consideration. We need to be aware of these options before we proceed. To be on the agenda for the discussion with Shawn.
Brian has had a vague response from Darlene (City) on the gardening side. No contact yet on the assessment of the traffic calming measures.
No report but – work has begun on the Bank Street gardens.
A DYK has been prepared for this OSCAR on the need for residents to report traffic misdemeanors to the Police and the City. The system is complaints-based but there may be better ways ie listening to community associations about where “hot spots” are. For discussion with Shawn. The interface for reporting to the police is difficult and discourages reporting.
A future DYK could involve the new advocacy group for the betterment of public transit. Kathy to submit the link to us. https://www.ottawatransitriders.ca/
Next month should be a report on the Bike Rally and Rodeo. Then possibly articles of follow-up on priority projects
Follow-up letters have been prepared by Sue. Erik has taken on the Hopewell suggestions and will contact the author.
The latest meeting was cancelled. Brian to keep us informed and circulate materials.
The crossing of students on Hopewell continues to be a problem. Erik has discussed this and speed radar and red light cameras in the school zone at the last meeting. The school principal is particularly interested in resolving the crossing issue. Next meeting is tonight – May 14.
James attended the Bike Ottawa Bike to Work Week kick-off breakfast. Good opportunity to meet City officials.
Sue passed on thanks to Anna for setting an example of how to get work done. Sue and Anna to meet occasionally to discuss traffic issues relating to seniors.
As the beach volleyball season is starting, Sue wrote a note to the Executive Director confirming that the measures taken last year to deal with traffic issues were to be in place again. Agreement and in addition a greater focus on cycling to the Club to be made. The OTLBC is very involved in the Bike Rally. The Club officially opened last weekend.
It was agreed that, if the City went ahead with a consultation, the T&S Committee could help with promotion, primarily by posting on News Between the Bridges. The Committee could have a position on this but need to better understand the proposal. Sue to write to the project engineer.
Tuesday, July 2, 2019, 12:30 at the Firehall.
Priority for the June meeting will be a meeting with Shawn. Sue to try to set up for the morning of Friday, May 24, 2019, at the Firehall.
Traffic and Safety Committee Meeting
Tuesday April 9, 2019 at 12:30 pm
Lounge at the Firehall
Present: Kathy Krywicki, James Grant, Winnie Pietrykowski, Erik van der Torre, Brian Ure, Sue Neill (Chair)
Regrets: Janet Jull
Additions to the agenda: under item 4 – City Transportation Committee Report, Road Safety Action Plan Stakeholders Meeting Report
The OSCA Board has approved the Traffic and Safety Plan and Priorities at its March meeting.
Meetings are being set up with Phil Landry, Director of Traffic Services with the City; and Shawn Menard, Councillor. Both have agreed t o meet with us and we are now finding an appropriate time and place. We will try to meet with Shawn first. Sue to arrange.
Meetings with the Glebe and OOE are still to be arranged.
Individual Committee members indicated where they would like to contribute with regard to implementing the priorities:
PXO Seneca and Colonel By – Sue
Bank Intersections- Erik
Redesign/Flex sticks at Bank and Echo ramp – Sue
Bike Rodeo – Winnie
Green Dreamers – Winnie and Brian
Sunnyside – Brian
Gateway Speed Zone – possibly Janet
Bank Street Bridge Redesign – Erik, James, Sue
No left turn warning signs – Kathy
Red light cameras – Erik, James
Photo Radar – Erik, James
40 km limit on Colonel By – Sue
Physical barrier on Cameron – James
Consistent stop signs secondary intersections – TBD
Speed reduction on Bronson – Erik, Sue
Additional PXOs – Kathy, Sue
Other responsibilities currently underway will continue. There is still a need to have a cycling lead on the committee. James indicated interest and will talk with several individuals to assess their interest in helping.
No response yet from the latest request to the City. Councillor’s office has asked to be kept informed. It was noted that cameras were temporarily in place at Aylmer and Cameron – not sure why. So far no complaints that we are aware of have been made following the changes at intersections
The Councillor has informed us that something is in the works. We are hoping that there will be an announcement by the time of the OSCA AGM.
Plans are well underway, led by a capable, lively and enthusiastic committee. Winnie reminded Committee members that they should plan to attend. May 31, June 1, 2. The Sunnyside Library will organize a display of cycling books to help promote the Bike Rally. Winnie to check Bike Ottawa’s involvement with Denise.
Winnie also reported that she had attended a Volunteer Recognition event at the library during which the Green Dreamers were awarded an amount of $500.00 to be used for the library gardens this spring.An article has been prepared for the May issue of the OSCAR. Winnie and Brian will visit the new location of Noel Landscape on Bank Street to determine if there is interest in working with the Green Dreamers.
Brian attended this meeting on April 6. The City’s Road Safety Action Plan was presented and input sought as to priority areas of emphasis for the plan. Stakeholders are now asked to contribute “countermeasures” or tasks that they might undertake to contribute to the accomplishment of the areas of emphasis. Forms will be provided with a tight timeline.
Brian to prepare a response on the forms and circulate to Committee members for input. Brian will then provide to the FCA for a roll-up from all communities. FCA will submit to the City.
A presentation including data on fatal and major injuries citywide was presented. Janet to be asked if she will work on pulling out data relating specifically to Old Ottawa South (Sue to ask).
Kathy circulated the report containing interesting and informative information on the TTCMP ($50,000 per year allocated to Councillors for traffic calming measures in their riding). This is important information for our upcoming meeting with Phil Landry pertaining to such elements as flex sticks, painting of lines, speed boards etc.
Kathy has submitted a DYK piece for May relating to helmet safety relating to the Bike Rally
Brian will contact the City to determine what if any assessment has been done on the rain gardens and other traffic calming measures on Sunnyside.
Our contact on this project is Colin Ashford. Colin is following up with Shawn to determine if progress has been made. Janet will be asked to assist with this.
Brian reported that the next FCA meeting will be held at the Firehall on April 17. Richard will welcome on behalf of OSCA and Shawn Menard will be part of a panel presentation on the City’s new Official Plan. The FCA business meeting will follow. Brian will represent OSCA.
We want to ensure that traffic issues are part of the discussion, especially the Bank Street Bridge since it is our route to Lansdowne – for discussion with Shawn.
There will need to be a T&S Report prepared. Sue to prepare and circulate. Winnie provided an overview of the plans for the AGM.
Date of the June meeting tbd – we may not have a formal meeting.
Have you witnessed dangerous driving or know of an intersection where motorists routinely ignore the stop sign? If so, the Ottawa Police Service would like you to make a traffic complaint using their online reporting system.
Over the last several months, Carleton University has been developing a strategy to best respond to the impacts of the closure of Hog's Back swing bridge this summer and the shutdown of the O-Train in 2020 for Stage 2 LRT. These projects by the National Capital Commission and the City of Ottawa are going to have a major impact on campus. In summary:
The City of Ottawa wants your input on road safety. A questionnaire is available for your comments until March 19, 2019.
Traffic and Safety Committee Meeting
Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at 12:30 pm
Lounge at the Firehall
Present: Erik van der Torre, Kathy Krywicki, James Grant, Winnie Pietrykowski, Brian Ure, Sue Neill (Chair)
Regrets: Janet Jull
Main purpose of the meeting today is to discuss and agree on the priority objectives of the Committee for 2019/20
Approved as circulated and posted on the OSCA Website.
Following an exercise in which members of the Committee were asked to prioritize independently a list of previously discussed objectives, a list of emailed responses was compiled by the Chair for discussion at the meeting.
Following discussion, the Chair agreed to compile a revised list and circulate to members for input.
The final list is to be submitted on March 14, 2019 for discussion and approval at the March 19, 2019 meeting of the OSCA Board.
Following approval, an article will be prepared for the OSCAR and comment from the readers sought.
Request to the City to remove the beg buttons on the traffic signals going east and west on Bank Street has been approved and successfully implemented. Shawn Menard had intervened with the City to assist in achieving this objective. Congratulations to Erik for his work on this!
Still remaining to be negotiated – beg buttons to be removed at Bank and Riverdale, and possibly at other intersections along Riverdale, also advanced pedestrian signals to be installed at all intersections. Erik to follow up.
Shawn Menard has become involved in this file and has met with the OPS and the City. He has informed us that he should have news for us in a couple of weeks.
Sue to write to Shawn’s assistant to reinforce the priorities of the Committee with regard to this intersection.
Invitations have been issued to local politicians and community associations in Capital Ward. David Chernushenko is interested in being involved in a creative way. Next meeting of the Organizing Committee is March 28.
Kathy to consider using some information from material circulated by James on impact of speed and seriousness of injuries.
Article on priorities to be prepared once agreed by the Board.
Erik to send Winnie the co-ordinates for the Co-chairs of the Parent’s Council so they can be invited to participate in the Bike Rally.
To be contacted once the priorities are agreed by the Board.
Agreed that we should hold a special planning meeting to develop a strategy and plan for the Bank Street Bridge project – possibly in June.
