Alta Vista Drive Functional Planning Study

Project Overview

The City of Ottawa is commencing a study to develop a functional road design for Alta Vista Drive between Faircrest Road and Edge Hill Place. Aging underground utilities such as sewers and watermains, from Billings Avenue to Kilborn Avenue and Wesmar Drive to Edge Hill Place, require renewal in the short to medium term, respectively. This provides an opportunity to upgrade the design of surface elements such as the roadway, sidewalk and cycling facilities.

Study Result and Timing

This Study will result in the preparation and approval of a Functional Design that will serve as a basis for subsequent detailed designs for the reconstruction of sections of Alta Vista Drive, as applicable. It is anticipated that this Functional Planning Study will be completed before the end of 2019.

Public Involvement

Various opportunities for public involvement will be provided, including a public open house to present study material. Public input and comment is encouraged throughout the project process. The study will receive input from a combined Technical and Public Advisory Committee and other stakeholders during the study.

You are encouraged to participate in the study by attending consultation events or by directly contacting the study team with information, comments or questions. Updated project information will be posted periodically on the study website.

A Public Open House is scheduled for early Summer 2019. Notifications for the Public Open House will be provided closer to the date on the project website with e-mail notifications to the study contact list.

Map of Alta Vist Drive Functional Planning Study

For further information or to provide comments please contact:

Vanessa Black, P. Eng.
Transportation Engineer – Network Modification
Transportation Services Department
613-580-2424, ext. 12559
Email: Vanessa.Black@ottawa.ca

A Public Information Session was held on June 18th, 2019, from 6 to 8 pm at St. Timothy’s Presbyterian Church, Main Hall, 2400 Alta Vista Drive. The objectives of this event were to provide information about the study, answer questions and receive input from the public that could inform the design of the project. An estimated 105 people attended the event. Twenty information panels were available for review along with plans showing design Options A and B, and a Protected Intersection design for Alta Vista and Heron Road. No formal presentation was made.

Display Boards

Boards 1 to 3 [ PDF 6.886 MB ]
Boards 4 to 6 [ PDF 6.058 MB ]
Boards 7 to 9 [ PDF 3.137 MB ]
Boards 10 to 12 [ PDF 2.829 MB ]
Boards 13 to 15 [ PDF 5.052 MB ]
Boards 16 to 19 [ PDF 1.733 MB ]

A total of 140 comments were provided either via Comment-Questionnaire forms during the Public Information Session or via email in the weeks following the public event.

Of the comments received, the following provides a break-down of clearly stated preferences:

1. Option A (Separate Sidewalk and Cycle Track): 38 responses
2. Option B (Bundled Sidewalk and Cycle Track): 44 responses
3. Other cross-section options: 21 responses
4. Status Quo: 18 responses

Support for the project centred on:

• Safer cycling facilities;
• Improved walking environment;
• Potential for traffic calming on Alta Vista Drive; and
• Benefits associated with underground infrastructure renewal.

The main concerns associated with the project centred on:

• Potential removal of trees;
• Snow and ice management for the cycle track (Options A or B) and implications for driveways;
• Narrowing the roadway and its potential impacts to emergency vehicle access, traffic, access to driveways, air pollution and collisions; and
• Potential implications for residents of Alta Vista Drive versus community wide impacts.

No consensus nor general direction was achieved when reviewing all comments as many of the comments submitted conflict with others. Whereas opposition to Option A was mostly due to the lack of spatial separation between cyclists and drivers, opposition to Option B was mostly due to the perception of conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists.