Rideau Canal Crossing (Fifth to Clegg) & Ottawa River Crossing (POW Bridge) - Active Transportation (Bridges) & Transit Connectivity

completed

The priority for this scope is to support the environmental assessment and design of a new multi-use pathway (MUP) on the currently out-of-service interprovincial Prince of Wales Bridge on the Ottawa River, in advance of the planned longer-term transit crossing. This MUP will increase the coverage of active transportation and link to the Confederation Line’s Bayview Station. The scope may also support 40-foot diesel bus acquisition in relation to routes in the proximity of the Rideau Canal Crossing to aid pedestrian and cycling traffic connectivity to the bus network. The project activities are intended to further the City’s ability to advance community transit priorities by leveraging the remaining program funding allocation as much as possible and is consistent with Council’s strategic direction. This proposed pedestrian and cycling bridge over the Rideau Canal will provide an important link to the pathways connecting to the City’s Confederation Line at Hurdman and Lees Light Rail Transit Stations. This bridge will support the City’s goals of transportation sustainability by promoting walking, cycling and transit - allowing more people to travel without the use of cars. It will relieve auto traffic on streets and bridges in the area, thus improving overall transit service reliability. It also connects communities, such as Old Ottawa South and the Glebe, that currently do not have convenient east-west walking and biking connections due to the presence of the Canal. With this connection, residents east of the Canal will have improved access to the main north-south transit service on Bank Street. It provides a new link to Lansdowne Park from Lees Station, reducing travel time for event attendees travelling from the east part of the city.