Glebe Avenue Integrated Renewal

Project description

The City of Ottawa will replace the existing watermain (built in 1906) and sanitary sewer (built in 1912) on Glebe Avenue, between Bank Street and O’Connor Street. The existing storm sewer (built in 1960) is planned to be protected. The road and curbs will be reconstructed and traffic calming features will be added. On the south side of the road, the existing sidewalk will be replaced (widened) and a cycle track will be added.

On the south side of Glebe Avenue, just west of Bank Street, one soil cell system will be installed to support two new trees. A soil cell system includes an underground soil support system to provide adequate soil volume for tree health. It also includes diverting stormwater from roadside catchbasins, which will provide water for the trees. This is a pilot project with the goal of demonstrating that soil cells can be implemented in Ottawa to support healthy tree growth in urban areas.

Project timing

Design: September 2022 to fall 2023
Construction start: spring 2024
Construction completion: summer 2025

Project budget

Approved project funds to date are $5,575,000.

Public engagement

A public information session was held on May 2, 2023, at the Glebe Community Centre, to discuss the proposed infrastructure improvement project on Glebe Avenue between Bank Street and O'Connor Street. Preliminary design drawings were on display and staff were present to provide information and receive comments. 

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.

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 Representatives.

City Project Manager
Jeff DeLoyde, P.Eng.
Senior Engineer, Infrastructure Projects
100 Constellation Drive, Ottawa, ON K2G 6J8
Tel.: 613-806-1828

Contract Administrator
Adam Goudreau
Stantec (Morrison Hershfield) 
Tel: 613-889-5072

City On-Site Representative
Ryan Holley, C.E.T. 
Senior Inspector
Stantec (Morrison Hershfield)
Tel.: 613-795-7221
    
Contractor Representatives
Adam Leakey, P.Eng. 
Project Manager
Taggart Construction
Tel.: 613-229-2575

Mike Wilson
Site Superintendent
Taggart Construction
Tel.: 613-315-2765

The City of Ottawa is replacing the aging underground infrastructure on Glebe Avenue (between Bank Street and O’Connor Street) as part of the City’s ongoing replacement of critical infrastructure.

What: Glebe Avenue (between Bank Street and O’Connor Street) will be closed to through traffic. Local traffic access to private properties, in addition to pedestrian and cycling access, will be maintained throughout the construction period. This section of Glebe Avenue will be temporarily converted to allow two-way local traffic access.

To maintain bus services in your community, OC Transpo route 56 (King Edward) will be detoured north via Bank Street to Isabella Street, bypassing Glebe Avenue, O’Connor Street, Strathcona Avenue and Metcalfe Street. Bus stops no.6843, 7631, 6853, 7632 and 2428 will be temporarily out-of-service. Alternative service will be provided at a temporary bus stop on the east side of Bank Street, between Glebe Avenue and Clemow Avenue, and at existing bus stops along Bank Street and Isabella Street, as shown below. For further details please visit www.octranspo.com/alerts

Why: The road closure is required to facilitate construction. The objective of this project is to rehabilitate underground and roadway infrastructure that is nearing the end of its lifespan.

When: The road closure will start at 9:30 am on Wednesday, April 24, and the road will re-open on October 24, 2024.

Where: Glebe Avenue (between Bank Street and O’Connor Street).

Road closure

To facilitate construction activities, Glebe Avenue (between Bank Street and O’Connor Street) will be closed to through traffic. Road closure signage will be placed onsite. This section of Glebe Avenue will be temporarily converted to allow two-way traffic. Local access to your property will be maintained throughout construction. Pedestrian and cycling access will be maintained throughout the construction period.

OC Transpo bus stop impacts

• Stop 6843, Glebe Avenue (east of Bank Street) - stop out of service
• Stop 7631, O'Connor Street (northbound at Linden Terrace) - stop out of service
• Stop 6853, O'Connor Street (northbound between Patterson Avenue and Strathcona Avenue) - stop out of service
• Stop 7632, Strathcona Avenue (eastbound between O'Connor Street and Metchalfe Street) - stop out of service
• Stop 2428, Metcalfe Street (northbound between Pretoria Avenue and Isabella Street) - stop out of service

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.

Transit users can visit octranspo.com and use the travel planner or detour listing to see if their regular trips are affected. OC Transpo Customer Relations can be reached at 613-842-3600.

In April 2024, the City of Ottawa will start construction for the replacement of underground sewers and watermains, and full road reconstruction in your neighbourhood.

What: The upgrades include watermain and sewer replacement, road reconstruction, sidewalk renewal and the addition of a cycle track, traffic calming features and trees.

Why: The objective of this project is to rehabilitate underground and roadway infrastructure that is nearing the end of its lifespan.

Where: Glebe Avenue between Bank Street and O’Connor Street. A soil cell with two trees will also be added on the south side of Glebe Avenue, just west of Bank Street (in the City right of way adjacent to the Shoppers).

When: Construction is expected to begin in late April or early May, with asphalt paving expected to be completed in late fall 2024. Final landscaping will be completed in spring 2025.

Who: The City of Ottawa has retained the contractor, Taggart Construction, to complete the work.

Traffic management

To accommodate the proposed construction, Glebe Avenue (between Bank Street and O’Connor Street) will be closed to all but local traffic during construction. This section of Glebe Avenue will be temporarily converted to allow two-way traffic. Access to private properties, in addition to pedestrian and cycling access, will be maintained throughout the construction period. A separate notice will be mailed to residents with specific road closure dates and the bus detour details.

Note that the road will remain open on Glebe Avenue west of Bank Street, at the Glebe Avenue and Bank Street intersection, and at the O’Connor Street and Glebe Avenue intersection.

Bus detour

During the road closure on Glebe Avenue (between Bank Street and O’Connor Street), OC Transpo route 56 will be detoured north via Bank Street to Isabella Street and back south via Pretoria Avenue to Bank Street. A separate notice will be mailed to residents with specific road closure dates and the bus detour map.

The existing bus stop no.6843 on the south side of Glebe Avenue, just east of Bank Street, will be closed. A temporary bus stop will be placed on the east side of Bank Street, between Glebe Avenue and Clemow Avenue, for the duration of the detour.

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.

Impact on the right of way and adjacent private properties

The reconstruction 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 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 move them in preparation for the construction work.

Lawn irrigation systems

If you own a subsurface lawn irrigation system, please notify the City Project Manager.

Pre-construction inspection

The contractor is required to carry out interior and exterior pre-construction inspections of consenting homes. The purpose of the pre-construction survey is to document current building and landscape conditions before construction commences. A representative from the contractor will be contacting you about these inspections.

It is to your benefit to allow the inspection to be conducted on your property, as it may assist with establishing the impact, if any, that construction has had at your property after work is completed. In addition, you may wish to complete your own survey of pre-construction conditions on your property. Your survey should include photographs.

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. This will ensure prompt notification of appropriate authorities to complete the claim investigations.

Temporary water services

During the replacement of the watermain on Glebe Avenue (between Bank Street and O’Connor Street), water will be supplied to buildings by temporary water lines. While your property is on this temporary service, your water usage will be estimated as the temporary service is not metered. Your water bill will be based on the past average water usage for your address. If you have any questions regarding your water bill, please contact Revenue at 613-580-2444 or by email at WS-Billing@ottawa.ca.

Municipal fire suppression will continue during the construction period. Please note that private fire suppression systems may be impacted due to temporary water lines. If you have a private fire suppression system, it is recommended that you make arrangements with a fire protection services company in order to determine the extent of any impact. For information on minimizing your fire risk, contact the City’s Fire Services at 613-580-2424, ext. 15371.

We apologize in advance for any disruptions in water service during construction. Any problems with the temporary water services can be directed to the City on-site representative or call the City of Ottawa at 3-1-1 in the evenings or weekends.

Private house services

If your house/building was built prior to 1955, there is a possibility that your private water service may have been constructed using lead pipe (modern pipes are copper or HDPE). For those homes with a lead water pipe supplying water to the water meter, there is information regarding the City’s Lead Pipe Replacement Program available on the City’s website, ottawa.ca/leadpipes, or call 3-1-1. 

Due to the age of buried infrastructure in this neighbourhood, it is possible that homeowners or the City have already replaced the sewer and water services (or a portion thereof) to certain homes. If all or a portion of the sewer and/or water services to your home have been replaced recently, please notify the City Project Manager.

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).

Utility relocation work will take place in your neighbourhood. 

What: Bell and Rogers will relocate their underground utilities on Glebe Avenue, between Bank Street and approximately 110 Glebe Avenue. 

Why: The purpose of the work is to relocate underground utilities in advance of the complete roadway reconstruction planned to start in spring 2024. This section of Bell and Rogers underground duct banks must be relocated to make space for the new sewer and watermain that will be constructed in 2024. 

When: This work is planned to begin mid-October and be completed by late November. 

Where: The utility duct banks under Glebe Avenue will be excavated and replaced between Bank Street and approximately 110 Glebe Avenue. 

Who: The work will be completed by Bell and Rogers through their independent contractor, Greely Construction.

Traffic impacts

Glebe Avenue will remain open to traffic. Flaggers or signage will be onsite to direct traffic, cyclists and pedestrians. The bus stop on the north side of Glebe Avenue, just east of Bank Street, will be temporarily relocated to a nearby location. 

On-street parking and local access

As the utility relocation activities are in progress, on-street parking may be periodically restricted on the north side of Glebe Avenue from Bank Street to approximately 110 Glebe Avenue. 

Periodically, vehicular access to the properties on Glebe Avenue from Bank Street to approximately 110 Glebe Avenue may be unavailable.

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 listed below.  

Noise

You may notice noise during the work. Work is expected to occur on weekdays from approximately 7 am to 7 pm.  The City of Ottawa Noise By-law (2017-255) allows construction activity to occur weekdays between 7 am and 10 pm. On Saturdays, work is permitted between 7 am and 10 pm, while Sundays, statutory and public holidays work is permitted between 9 am and 10 pm. We would like to thank you in advance for your patience and co-operation.

Representatives of the City of Ottawa will be undertaking work in your neighbourhood. 

What: The work will involve a small excavation to daylight the gas main at ten locations within the right of way on the north side of Glebe Avenue. A hydrovac truck will be used for the excavation and the work areas will be reinstated with topsoil and grass seed. 

Why: The work is required to locate the gas main and inspect its condition. This is part of the design work for the Glebe Avenue Integrated Renewal project, in preparation for construction in 2024. 

When: This work is planned for early June and will take a day or two to complete. Work will occur during the daytime on a weekday. 

Where: On the north side of Glebe Avenue, between Bank Street and O’Connor Street.

Who: The City of Ottawa has retained the engineering consultant, Stantec, and their sub-contractor, multiVIEW Locates, to perform the work. 

Traffic

A hydrovac truck will be parked along the north side of Glebe Avenue during this work. Flaggers or signage will be onsite to direct traffic, cyclists and pedestrians.

Noise

You may notice noise during the work. The City of Ottawa Noise By-law (2017-255) allows construction activity to occur weekdays between 7 am and 10 pm. On Saturdays, work is permitted between 7 am and 10 pm, while Sundays, statutory and public holidays work is permitted between 9 am and 10 pm. We would like to thank you in advance for your patience and co-operation.

The City of Ottawa invites you to attend a Public Information Session to discuss the proposed infrastructure improvement project on Glebe Avenue between Bank Street and O’Connor Street. Preliminary design drawings will be on display and staff will be present to provide information and receive comments. 

Presentation [ 9.68 MB ]

The following provides additional information about the public information session:

What: The project involves watermain and sewer replacement, road reconstruction, sidewalk renewal and the addition of a cycle track and traffic calming features.

Why: The objective of this project is to rehabilitate underground and roadway infrastructure that is nearing the end of its lifespan.

When: Construction is planned to start late spring 2024 and be completed by spring 2025.

Where: Glebe Avenue between Bank Street and O’Connor Street.

Who: The engineering firm, Stantec, has been retained by the City of Ottawa to develop design drawings for this project.

For further information about this project and/or to submit comments, please contact the City’s Project Manager:

City Project Manager    
Jeff DeLoyde, P.Eng.
Senior Engineer, Infrastructure Projects
100 Constellation Drive, Ottawa, ON K2G 6J8
Tel.: 613-806-1828

The City of Ottawa will undertake a geotechnical investigation in your neighbourhood. This work is being done to determine existing underground soil conditions to support a design project that is underway. The design project involves watermain and sewer replacement, road reconstruction, sidewalk renewal and the addition of a cycle track and traffic calming features on Glebe Avenue between Bank Street and O’Connor Street. A public information session will be held in 2023, with construction planned for 2024. 

The following provides additional information on the geotechnical investigation.

What: The geotechnical investigation work will involve the drilling of boreholes and obtaining soil and water samples. Boreholes will be drilled within the City’s right of way in the paved road surface. This work may result in noise near your home, but there will be no impact to private property.

Why: This geotechnical investigation work supports the Glebe Avenue Integrated Renewal design project. 

When: This work will occur in November 2022.

Where: Glebe Avenue, between Bank Street and O’Connor Street. 

Who: The City of Ottawa has retained the engineering consultant, Stantec, and their drilling sub-contractor, George Downing Estate Drilling Ltd, to perform the geotechnical investigation. 

Traffic

The boreholes will be drilled along the south side parking lane. Parking restrictions are anticipated during this work. Flaggers or signage will be onsite to direct traffic, cyclists and pedestrians.

Impact on the right of way and adjacent private properties

The underground investigation work will require the creation of holes into the road surface, which will be reinstated following the investigation. It is not anticipated that private properties will be impacted by this work.

Noise

You may notice noise during the geotechnical investigation work. The City of Ottawa Noise By-law (2017-255) allows construction activity to occur weekdays between 7 am and 10 pm. On Saturdays, work is permitted between 7 am and 10 pm, while Sundays, statutory and public holidays work is permitted between 9 am and 10 pm. We would like to thank you in advance for your patience and co-operation.