The City of Ottawa is reviewing alternatives as part of their Environmental Assessment for the New Cumberland Transitway, as a result of their first ‘Open House’ in June. The planning was originally initiated in 1995, and the study was completed in 2000, however a review was conducted in 2004, and now due to the initiative to integrate the transit with the Millenium Sports Park—further approval and consultation is required.
With the Millenium Park-and-ride being undertaken by the city, factors like the Trim Rd extension, the Blackburn bypass and the impending connection between Trim rd. and Frank Kenny are all being considered. (Were you aware of these factors in your neighbourhood?)
At the Public Open House in June, the alternative for the Trim –Frank Kenny connection that was chosen exhibits a balance between recreational development, considerations of area residents, the protection of a woodlot located adjacent to a proposed sports field development, as well as drainage functions. The average joe simply noticed an effort to preserve some trees – which is fine by all means.
One of the more interesting options was for a grade-separated solution VS an at-grade solution, which basically means ‘to overpass or not to overpass’. One of the conclusions from the study showed that the non-overpass solution was operationally feasible, and would not necessarily be required.
Next? Comments from the last open house are being received by the Technical and Advisory consultation groups, the preferred alternatives are scheduled to be confirmed in an impact assessment in the second open house in November 2010.
Information about the project will continue to be updated and posted on the city’s website, http://www.ottawa.ca.
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