The city of Ottawa has reached a deal with the federal government to scrap a proposed extension of Preston Street in favour of building a pedestrian bridge that would connect to a future arena at LeBreton Flats.
Details of the agreement were revealed in the agenda for Wednesday’s meeting of the city’s planning committee, where members will vote on potentially removing the extension from the official plan.
The agenda includes a copy of the memorandum of understanding the city reached with the federal National Capital Commission that would trade killing the long-planned street project for increased public transit access to Kichi Zībī Mīkan, a parkway that cuts through LeBreton Flats.
The deal includes upgrading a bridge that connects Gatineau to the parkway to allow for full-sized buses. This would happen before the opening of the arena, which is not expected until 2032.
The NCC owns the parkway, and the agreement spells out several conditions for improving access to the road, including permitting buses and private vehicles to turn left at the Slidell intersection.
It also lays out plans to improve transit priority on Slidell and on routing that would connect to special event buses on the parkway and to the O-Train and bus station at Bayview.
Somerset Coun. Ariel Troster, whose ward includes Preston Street, said she supported the agreement because the area needs more “more active transportation connections” and it would help reduce the number of cars in LeBreton Flats, which is home to an O-Train station.
She said the long-winding debate on the new arena was the major drag on negotiations as it was unclear if the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, the proposed occupant, would need the roadway extension for vehicle traffic.
But the Senators reached a deal on the site last year with the NCC, paving the way for an agreement with the city.
Troster said the city’s main concern initially was ensuring transit access in peak times but the MOU grants access to the parkway during busy periods, ensuring that “our transportation network is preserved.”
Under the deal, the NCC would be responsible for building the “active transportation” bridge, which would include both pedestrian and cycling access.
The bridge, which is required to include separate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists, would run generally along the planned Preston alignment, connecting Albert Street to a future extension of Vimy Place in LeBreton Flats.
Vimy Place currently encircles the national War Museum and a surrounding park that plays host to events like Bluesfest and Canada Day celebrations.
If approved at committee, city council would have to cast the final vote on approving the removal of the Preston Street extension from the official plan.
More to come…
