Kanata could ultimately have 11 kilometres of light rail and eight stations, following the City of Ottawa Transportation Committee’s May 2 approval of a functional design for Kanata Light Rail Transit.
The system would run from Moodie Station along the north side of Highway 417 before turning north to integrate more closely with the Beaverbrook community. It would turn south, running parallel to Huntmar Drive before crossing the Queensway and terminating at Hazeldean Road. A multi-use pathway would run parallel along the entire length of the extension.
Slated for construction after 2031, the $1.85-billion project could be implemented in phases, depending on funding, the city says in a news release
Leitrim Road could also look very different after 2031, following the committee’s approval of the functional design to realign and widen it.
A portion of Leitrim Road will need to close, to accommodate plans by the Ottawa International Airport Authority to add a new runway within the next 25 years. A new, four-lane Leitrim Road would be built farther south, with a bridge overpass crossing the Trillium Line. Designed as a complete street, there would be sidewalks and cycling facilities or multi-use pathways throughout the corridor.
Although the $86-million project is not planned until after 2031, the corridor needs to be protected now to prevent development from encroaching, to inform community design plans and to facilitate land negotiations.
The committee also received the 2017 annual report on parking. Operating expenses decreased while revenues increased in 2017. The report highlights the installation of a parking guidance system in the City Hall parking garage, addition of bike parking spaces and electric vehicle charging stations, and completion of a parking strategy for Kitchissippi Ward.
The Committee passed a motion to waive the Encroachment By-law to allow a pilot program for Cyclehop, a bike-sharing program. Bike-sharing stations could be located on the city’s rights of way and property sites, and encroachment fees would be reduced to $250 per year per station and $1 per bike per month. Other bike-sharing programs could also apply for these benefits.
The City of Ottawa has more than 100,000 catch basins to provide drainage to roadways and green spaces. The City now has an online map so you can see where catch basins are located and help keep them clear of debris.
Items approved at today’s Transportation Committee will go to City Council on Wednesday, May 9.
