Ontario Construction News staff writer
Ottawa’s municipal public works and infrastructure committee has approved a new bylaw to regulate residential driveways and green-lit an updated environmental study for the $335-million Kanata North Transitway.
The new Access By-law, which will replace the existing Private Approach By-law, aims to reduce red tape while ensuring consistent oversight of driveways and laneways that cross into the city’s right-of-way. Under the new rules, driveway widths will be limited to 50 per cent of a lot’s frontage to ensure adequate space for snow storage. It also permits the use of permeable surfaces to help absorb stormwater and improve drainage.
Property owners will be required to obtain road cut permits for any access construction involving a culvert to ensure the work is properly inspected and limits stormwater issues. Fees will remain unchanged for 2026, with data collected this year informing a proposed fee schedule for 2027.
The committee also approved proceeding with the Kanata North Transitway Environmental Assessment Study, which updates a 2014 study to include lands recently added to the urban boundary.
The transit project is designed to improve service on March Road, potentially saving commuters up to 10 minutes in travel time between Corkstown Road and Buckbean Avenue. The plan includes a new park-and-ride facility with up to 444 spaces and enhanced walking and cycling infrastructure. The provincial government has committed up to $80 million for the project through the Ontario-Ottawa Agreement.
Additionally, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation outlined plans for rapid bridge replacements on Highway 417 at Woodroffe and Maitland avenues.
The construction, currently slated for 2028, will require full highway closures of up to 72 hours to demolish and replace the bridges. Woodroffe Avenue will also face closures of six to seven weeks for substructure work, while Maitland Avenue will close for seven to eight weeks for similar work and embankment widening.
City council will consider the committee’s recommendations on Wednesday, March 11.
