Progress on Lansdowne traffic issues

Given the number of page views on my Lansdowne traffic-related blogs, and comments on my recent Glebe Report column about GCA's advocacy on the issue, I thought residents might be interested in an update of our meeting with the Mayor on Lansdowne traffic issues.   

The GCA (Brian Mitchell and myself), Ottawa South Community Association (Winnie Pietrykowski) and the Old Ottawa East Community Association (John Dance) met with the Mayor on March 3^rd.  Judging by the amount of time he spent with us (1 ½ hrs), his detailed knowledge of our area and our requests, and the number of City officials in attendance, it is clear that Mayor Watson places a high priority on the success of the Lansdowne development.  It is also clear that all parties are working with the best intentions to make Lansdowne a success and it was in this spirit that the meeting was arranged. 

 

While we were pleased to have had an opportunity to discuss the issues as we, the three communities most impacted by the development, understand them, it soon became clear that we have a completely different approach to planning for Lansdowne traffic than the City.  Based on our extensive community consultations (together, our community associations canvassed over 2,000 residents), we strongly believe that significant traffic measures should be implemented before Lansdowne opens.  The City strongly believes a “wait and see” approach is the most prudent, and monitoring once open makes the most sense. 

We presented our priority issues from the perspective of safety and security of children and pedestrians, active transportation to the Lansdowne site (in particular, connecting bridges) and establishing a buffer zone for the most impacted residents.  Brian’s excellent article in the Glebe Report outlines more of the specific requests (the same ones we’ve been advocating for at the Lansdowne Traffic Advisory Committee for the past year).  Although we made next to no progress on those requests, the Mayor did agree to some specific actions:

1. The City will look to advancing the building of the O’Connor bike lane;
2. At his regular meeting with the NCC president, the Mayor will advocate to move the construction of the signalized crossing for the Queen Elizabeth Driveway and Fifth Avenue to summer (now currently planned for the fall);
3. Reducing the speed limit on Bank Street, from Riverdale to Chamberlain, from 50 km to 40 km/hr (the Mayor’s idea, in relation to Bank St Bridge safety);  and
4. Considering a request to reducing parking from 3 hrs to 1 hr along with a guest parking permit for Holmwood Avenue (east of Bank St), should a significant portion of residents be supportive, for a trial period of the first six months following the opening of Lansdowne;
5. Regarding pedestrian safety at Sunnyside and Bank, the City will implement the Pedestrian Safety Evaluation Program, which could include a workplan for the spring and summer to identify potential safety measures.

These actions represent some progress for our community, and we will continue to advocate for our other well-developed positions.  There are many questions regarding the City’s monitoring program, however, we will also participate in this process to make sure the impacts to the community are known and suggestions for improvements are made. 

We owe our thanks to much of this work  to Brian Mitchell and the members of the Traffic Committee for all of the work they have done so far.  I have great admiration for their level of knowledge and attention to the many traffic issues we have in our neighbourhood.

 See you in the 'hood,

Christine