Project overview
Project description
The City of Ottawa is undertaking the design work for traffic calming and pedestrian improvement measures along Bilberry Drive. The work involves:
Northern section of Bilberry Drive (north of Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard)
- Three speed humps
- Painted edge lines (note: the potential for painted cycling lanes had been previously considered, however due to the need for parking near the park, it was determined to remove designated cycling lanes from the works and replace with painted edge lines).
Southern section of Bilberry Drive (south of Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard)
- Seven speed cushions
- A pedestrian crossover (PXO) adjacent to Joe Jamison Park (north of Titanium Private / des Forets Avenue), including narrowing the roadway adjacent to the new PXO.
- Modifications to curbside parking regulations including:
- “No Parking” signs will be added on the north and west side of Bilberry Drive between Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard (east intersection) and Titanium Private;
- Add on-street parking where possible on the east side of Bilberry Drive from du Bois Avenue (north intersection) to Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard (east intersection);
- Add on-street parking where possible on the south of Bilberry Drive in front of Joe Jamison Park;
- Removal of “No Parking” signs along the south and west side of Bilberry Drive in the vicinity of Divine Infant Catholic Church.
The new traffic calming measures are intended to improve safety for all road users. The new PXO is intended to improve pedestrian safety and encourage active transportation by completing a missing link in the pedestrian network.
Residents will be notified prior to construction commencement.
Project timing
Design completion: 2023
Construction start: summer 2024
Construction completion: fall 2024
Project budget
The estimated total project budget is $470,000.
Public engagement
An online survey was conducted in fall 2020 to better understand community concerns with traffic along Bilberry Drive. An As We Heard It report compiled the results, including feedback on traffic issues and confirmation of support for the project.
A draft plan was prepared, and a second online survey was conducted in late 2021 to request feedback on the proposed plan. Another As We Heard It report compiled the feedback received which was reviewed and considered in development of the final functional design plan.
Impact on the right of way and adjacent private properties
The planned construction is within the City’s right of way but may result in some disruption to part of the private property directly adjacent to the work. The City will reinstate all sections of landscaping, driveways and walkways that are disturbed by construction. However, if you have plants or any other assets located within the City’s right of way that you want to preserve, we suggest that you may want to move them in preparation for the construction work.
Accessibility
Accessibility is an important consideration for the City of Ottawa. The City makes every effort to provide access through and around construction sites. If you require a disability-related accommodation, please contact the project team listed below. Accessible formats and communication supports are available, upon request.
Safety
The City of Ottawa is committed to safety in and around project sites. The project team continues to work closely with the industry and to comply with recommendations provided by municipal, provincial and federal health officials, as well as the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
Contact information
For any emergency outside normal working hours, please call the City at 3-1-1.
For general project information, please contact the City’s Project Manager.
For construction related questions or concerns, please contact the Contractor Representative.
City Project Manager
Steven Stoddard, P.Eng.
City of Ottawa
Tel.: 613-866-7023
City On-Site Representative
Todd Penfound
Site Inspector, Novatech
Tel.: 613-277-3273
Contractor Representative
Justin Woodward
Project Manager
DSQ Construction Ltd.
Tel.: 613-914-1431
Construction notice (June 2024)
This summer, the City of Ottawa will begin installation of traffic calming measures in your neighborhood.
What: Traffic calming on Bilberry Drive: the work includes the installation of three speed humps (north of Jeanne-d’Arc Boulevard) and seven speed cushions south of Jeanne-d’Arc Boulevard.
A PXO will be installed along Bilberry Drive adjacent to Joe Jamieson Park (east of Titanium Private/ Des Forêts Avenue).
Resurfacing is also planned in 2024 on Bilberry Drive from Du Bois Avenue (west intersection) to Jeanne-d'Arc Boulevard (east intersection). Some of the work required for the resurfacing (replacement of sections of curbs and sidewalks) will also be completed by this project, while the paving will be completed under a separate project.
Why: This work is required to improve conditions for all road users by calming vehicular traffic, encouraging more appropriate driver behaviour, and increasing pedestrian and cyclist safety.
When: This work is scheduled to begin in summer 2024 and is scheduled to be completed this fall.
Where: Bilberry Drive from the cul-de-sac north of Jeanne-d’Arc Boulevard to the east intersection of Bilberry Drive and Jeanne-d’Arc Boulevard.
Who: The City of Ottawa has retained the contractor, D-Squared Construction Ltd., to complete the traffic calming work and the resurfacing preparatory work.
Traffic management
To accommodate the proposed construction, temporary lane reductions will be required on Bilberry Drive.
Access to private properties including pedestrian and cycling access, will be maintained throughout the construction period unless otherwise communicated.
Pre-construction inspection
The contractor is required to engage a third party to carry out pre-construction inspections of buildings in the work area. A representative from Englobe Corp. will be contacting affected property owners to schedule these inspections.
Contractor responsibility
As part of this contract, the contractor is assuming full responsibility for the construction work until it is entirely complete as well as any damages to private property resulting from these construction activities. In the event of such occurrences, all claims for damages should be immediately reported both verbally and in writing to the contractor and to the City’s on-site representative. This will ensure prompt notification of appropriate authorities to complete the claim investigations.
On-street parking and local access
As the various road reconstruction activities are in progress, on-street parking will be restricted. Local access will be maintained to residents, business owners and emergency vehicles. Periodically, vehicular access to your property may be unavailable; the contractor is required to provide 24-hour notification of temporary loss of vehicular access/egress to your property. A temporary On-Street Parking Permit will be made available to allow on-street parking within two blocks of your residence when these disruptions occur. Residents with electric vehicles will need to find alternative charging arrangements when access is restricted. The use of extension cords within the public right of way is not permitted.
Should you have additional concerns about reduced access, such as business deliveries or accessibility requirements, please contact the project manager.
Contractor responsibility
As part of this contract, the contractor is assuming full responsibility for the construction work until it is entirely complete as well as any damages to private property resulting from these construction activities. In the event of such occurrences, all claims for damages should be immediately reported both verbally and in writing to the Contractor and to the City on-site Representative. This will ensure prompt notification of appropriate authorities to complete the claim investigations.
Construction disruptions
The contractor will take every precaution to minimize interruptions to the everyday life of your family and/or operation of your business, but, as you can appreciate, there may be some inconvenience during the course of the work, such as traffic delays, noise and dust. You may also feel vibrations due to heavy equipment operations. Vibrations from construction activities are quite common and rarely cause any problems. We would like to thank you for your patience and co-operation. For construction activity hours of work, the City of Ottawa follows provincial requirements and the City’s Noise By-law (2017-255).