Popular NCC recreational pathway closed for summer
Posted Jul 29, 2010 By Phil Ambroziak
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EMC News - Cyclists passing through Ottawa's west end may want to rethink their travel plans throughout the remainder of the summer.
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A popular NCC recreational trail in Ottawa's west end is closed for reconstruction.
The National Capital Commission (NCC) recently announced the closure of a two-kilometre stretch of the Ottawa River Recreational Pathway from the section east of Carling Ave. to Britannia Park. The purpose of the closure is to accommodate construction work that, when completed, will result in a wider, more user-friendly route. Work began July 14 and is expected to wrap up in late September.
"The area being worked on stretches from Andrew Haydon Park to Britannia Park, and it's going to complicate things because it's happening at the same time the city has a major construction project underway on Carling Ave.," explained Bay ward Coun. Alex Cullen. "It's unfortunate that these two projects are happening at the same time because the work on the recreational path will surely cause a major disruption for cyclists as it is such a highly used route." Although signage will be put up along the Ottawa River Recreational Pathway at the entrances of the work site to direct users and inform them of the work, the councillor said he feels the ongoing work on Carling Ave. could result in even more chaos for cyclists who will now have to find an alternate route to get from one point to another. The NCC is asking that pathway users either plan alternate routes or use the City of Ottawa cycling and pedestrian routes, exercise caution, and obey the signage during the work period.
The work, which is financed as part of the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund received by the NCC in January, will ensure better security, an improved pathway surface for all pathway users, meet current NCC pathway standards of a three m. width and provide an enhanced user and visitor experience to access the Ottawa River.
"A big part of why this project is happening now is because the NCC must use the stimulus funding it has received by March 2011," Coun. Cullen said.
Coun. Cullen also expressed that the pathway project has finally opened the door for a plan he helped develop some years ago, but could not be implemented until now.
"It gives us an opportunity to put (in place) the Bell Town trees and vistas plan, which was developed a number of years ago by the NCC and the city," he noted. "Some years ago, we were having problems with people illegally cutting down vegetation on NCC land to improve their view of the Ottawa River. We came up with a plan that stated whenever this pathway was redeveloped, we'd create a series of vistas to allow users a clear view of the river. The timing of the project is the pits, but it does provide an opportunity for us to do a good thing. Now people will have an opportunity to sit on a bench along the pathway and view a spectacular sunset." Despite this opportunity, however, Coun. Cullen went back to his original reaction of how much of a negative impact the construction process could have on regular pathway issues.
"It's such a major route that closing it off would be the equivalent of taking out a chunk of the Queensway for motorists," he said.
He said the NCC is likely to hold a public meeting in the near future to discuss the trees and vistas plan for the fall.
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