Ontario Construction News staff writer
Ottawa’s transportation committee has approved a plan to realign the original route of the Barrhaven Stage 3 LRT to avoid displacing tenants of Manor Village and Cheryl Gardens.
The proposed alignment for the section of track between the Nepean Sportsplex and Knoxdale Road would have required the city to acquire a 20-metre strip of land, eliminating 100 residential rental units on two properties.
However, the committee voted to shift the LRT route to a raised track along the centre of Woodroffe Avenue to avoid impacting tenants. The raised track would travel 1.3 kilometres, between Knoxdale and Hunt Club roads.
It’s a route that was presented during initial planning for Stage 3 but council rejected it due to operational constraints and because major utilities are located in the median. With staff recommending adjustments to mitigate those issues, the next steps will be to finalize the design, consult with the public and present cost estimates.
The Committee also approved the statement of work to conduct an Environmental Assessment for the pedestrian and cycling connection between The Ottawa Hospital’s new Civic Campus and the Dow’s Lake LRT station. The city will consider a range of options, including below-grade and overpass connections, and take into account future plans for the Trillium Line and Carling Avenue.
Council will also consider adding transit priority measures and active transportation facilities along Bank Street between the Rideau Canal and Highway 417. A scoping document was approved to allow options to address transportation demand in the area to 2046, including walking and cycling connections, if funding is available in next year’s budget.
Council will vote on the plan June 8.