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.

Accomplishments for 2019-20

• Confirmation of the design and installation of the safe crossing at Seneca and Colonel By in spring/summer 2020
• Automated E/W pedestrian signals have been implemented during daytime hours at all E/W intersections on Bank in OOS except Riverdale
• Advanced pedestrian signals have been implemented at all E/W intersections on Bank in OOS except Riverdale
• At Bank and Aylmer, flashing countdown signal has been extended from 10 seconds to 12 seconds to give additional time to cross Bank Street
• Flex sticks were installed once again on the Echo ramp at Bank Street to discourage illegal left turns
• Planters blocking cycling traffic at the north end of the Bank Street bridge were moved
• OOS west of Bank has been declared a 30 km/hr speed limit zone – signs installed at entries and exits
• Speed reduced on Bronson between Riverside and Sunnyside from 70 km/hr to 60 km/hr
• Capital Spokes Bike Rally and Rodeo held on June 2, 2019
• Established a presence at the FCA Transportation Committee

Objectives for 2020-2021

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.

A Reminder About Traffic Complaints

Have you witnessed dangerous behaviour on the road such as speeding or distracted driving? Or do you know of an intersection where motorists routinely ignore the stop sign or run the red light? If so, the Ottawa Police Service would like you to make a traffic complaint using their online reporting system.

Back in December 2019, we hosted a public forum on Bank Street Transportation through Old Ottawa South and the Glebe. We know the street does not currently meet the needs of all road users. As a first step, we have released our As We Heard It report. This report includes the presentations by community groups and city staff, as well as the feedback we received before, after, and during the meeting.

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.