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The wheels are in motion to secure a safe cycling path over Highway 417 in the city’s west end.
The city of Ottawa is considering a $5.4 million project to add designated cycling lanes over the Maitland Avenue overpass, part of a partnership with the Ontario government related to ongoing bridge enhancement plans.
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The overpass is due to be replaced by the provincial ministry of transportation in 2027. The province will cover all other costs related to the reconstruction.
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Beacon Hill-Cyrville Coun. Tim Tierney, head of the city’s transportation committee, says it’s logical to add cycling infrastructure as part of the city’s Transportation Master Plan plan, an effort to “re-design the city” for purposes it wasn’t originally designed for.
There is usually heavy traffic crossing the Maitland overpass, as well as those at Woodroffe and Pinecrest. It creates an unsafe area for cyclists and pedestrians attempting to go north and south along Maitland. To avoid the overpass from the north, the alternatives include an extended detour off the side streets connected to Carling Ave. Tierney labels it as a “pinch point.”
With Maitland Avenue next in line for an upgrade by the province, Tierney says the time is right to add the additional lanes.
The plan would include two-metre-wide lanes, along with concrete buffers on both sides and concrete sidewalks for pedestrian traffic, connecting to Riddell Avenue.
None of the other nearby overpasses — including Woodroffe Avenue, Pinecrest Avenue and Richmond Road — have cycling infrastructure.
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A new multi-purpose bridge, crossing the 417 south at Baxter Road to the future Queensview Station north on Stage 2 of the LRT line, was completed in 2023. That bridge, however, will not be opened for pedestrians and cyclists until the LRT line is finally opened. The latest projection for completion is late 2026.
“If you go back six years, we’ve been talking about this for a long time,” said Dave Robertson, vice-president of Bike Ottawa, an organization that has long campaigned for a “more liveable city” that opens the door for more recreational options.
“All the overpasses were lacking safe space for cyclists. This one (at Maitland) is the next in line to be rebuilt, so it makes sense. This is a good step forward.”
Funding for cycling pursuits is typically a polarizing debate, often pitting car and truck drivers against those who prefer to travel on two wheels. Given the housing and food affordability crises, there are also loud suggestions that money could be better spent elsewhere.
Tierney argues that the proposal also serves the safety of vehicle drivers and that the idea of eventually building safe multi-use recreational paths across the Queensway has been in the works since 2014.
A similar multi-purpose bridge along Cyrville Road was built for $5 million in 2010.
The city’s Transportation Committee will vote on the proposal on May 23. If approved, it will move on to full council on May 29.
kwarren@postmedia.com
X: Citizenkwarren
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