Mackenzie Avenue to Rideau Canal Eastern Pathway- Upgrade of Cycling Link

Project description

The preliminary and detailed design is completed for the cycling connection between the Mackenzie Avenue cycle track at Rideau Street and the National Capital Commission (NCC) Rideau Canal Eastern Pathway.

This Project is part of a larger study that aims to improve integration between the Mackenzie Ave cycle track at Rideau Street (Cross-town Bikeway #1), Laurier Avenue at Nicholas (Cross-town Bikeway #2) and the Rideau Canal Eastern pathway. A key missing link for northbound cyclists traveling between the Rideau Canal Eastern Pathway and Mackenzie Avenue is being addressed though this project. Further improvements are planned in conjunction with the NCC to facilitate a bi-directional connection between the Rideau Canal Eastern Pathway and Laurier Avenue.

A key map has been provided of the project area and supporting projects including a bicycle crossing and protected intersection at Nicholas and Laurier.

Background

Currently, a southbound-only unprotected bike lane is provided between the Mackenzie cycle tracks and the Rideau Canal Pathway, with northbound cyclists needing to use a shared on-road route along on Colonel By Drive and Rideau Street. Also, cyclists heading east along Wellington/Rideau Street have no safe or legal means to access the Mackenzie cycle tracks in the northbound direction.

The proposed upgraded cycling connection aims to address these challenges by introducing a new protected bi-directional cycling facility that will run along the Mackenzie Avenue/Colonel-By Drive ramp between Rideau Street and Daly Ave.

Project timing

Anticipated construction start: spring 2023
Construction completion: fall 2023

Project budget

Approved project funds to date are $1,650,000

Public engagement

In November-December 2021, an online consultation was held to gather public feedback on the draft functional design plan. This As We Heard It Report [ 460 KB ]  includes the summary of the results from the survey and the responses to the key concerns raised through the questionnaire.

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 special 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 on weekdays and weekends, call the City at 3-1-1.
Should you have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact:

City Project Manager
Ziad Wehbe
Project Manager, Infrastructure Services
Design and Construction – Municipal
100 Constellation Drive, Ottawa, ON, K2G 6J8
Tel: 613-581-0395

This notice is to advise that construction in your neighbourhood will be starting in spring 2023. This work is being conducted to complete the construction of a new protected bi-directional cycling facility that extends along the Mackenzie Avenue/Colonel-By Drive ramp between Rideau Street and Daly Avenue.

What: Work will involve the construction of a new protected bi-directional cycling facility that extends along the Mackenzie Avenue/Colonel-By Drive ramp between Rideau Street and Daly Avenue.

Why: This project aims to improve integration between the Mackenzie Avenue cycle track at Rideau Street, Laurier Avenue at Nicholas Street, and the Rideau Canal Eastern pathway. Currently, a southbound-only unprotected bike lane is provided between the existing Mackenzie Avenue cycle tracks and the Rideau Canal Pathway, with northbound cyclists needing to use a shared on-road route along Colonel By Drive. The proposed improvements will replace these shared cycling facilities with protected cycle tracks.

When: Construction is planned to commence mid-April and is expected to be completed by late fall 2023.

Where: Mackenzie Avenue towards Colonel By Drive between Rideau Street and Daly Avenue.

Who:  The City of Ottawa has retained the Contractor, Bellai Alliance Civil, to complete the work.

Traffic impacts

Lane reductions and possible detours can be expected during construction to accommodate the various stages of the work. Access to government facilities, provincial facilities, local businesses, and private properties will be maintained throughout the construction period. Access for pedestrians and cyclists will maintained within the work zone 

Construction disruptions

The Contractor will take every precaution to minimize interruptions to business operations, but as you can appreciate, there may be some inconvenience during the course of the construction work, such as delays and traffic detours, parking restrictions, 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).
 

The Recommended Functional Plan for an improved cycling connection between the Mackenzie Avenue cycling facility at Rideau Street and the NCC Rideau Canal Eastern Pathway is shown in the image below.

1. Two-way crossride with new northbound bicycle signals
2. Connection for eastbound cyclists to join the extended Mackenzie Avenue cycle track
3. Two vehicle lanes maintained
4. 3.3 m wide two-way cycle track (concrete on overpass structure)
5. 1.0 m wide cast-in-place concrete curb
6. Green thermoplastic at entrance to Government Conference Centre loading dock
7. Raised half-height two-way cycle track adjacent to wide sidewalk
8. 1.0 – 2.0 m wide raised boulevard between cycle track and vehicle lanes
9. Median width reduced
10. New two-way crossride and bicycle signals
11. Pedestrian priority slow zone – cyclists mix

Facility overview

The improved cycling connection runs from the termination of the Mackenzie Avenue cycle track at Rideau Street to the NCC Rideau Canal Eastern Pathway. It is designed as a protected bidirectional cycle track on the west side of Colonel By Drive between Mackenzie ramp and Daly Avenue. The northern segment of the cycle track is 3.3 meters wide with concrete curbs as a barrier from vehicles. The southern segment of the cycle track is 2.8 m wide with a raised boulevard as a barrier from vehicles.

The design also includes a connection for cyclists traveling eastbound in mixed traffic on Rideau Street to join the extended Mackenzie Avenue cycle track.

Benefits summary

• Physical protection provided for southbound cyclists.
• New protected northbound cycling facility from the Rideau Canal Eastern Pathway to the Mackenzie Ave. cycle track.
• New connection for cyclists traveling eastbound in mixed traffic on Wellington/Rideau Street to cross north safely onto Mackenzie Avenue cycle track.
• Adjustments to shared plaza just south of Daly Avenue including
  • Additinal accessibility features,
  • Guidance fr cyclists, and
  • Imprvements to reduce conflicts between pedestrians and people on bikes (note: pedestrian priority – slow zone conditions will remain).

Wider connectivity benefits:

• In conjunction with the NCC, a pedestrian and cycling crossing will be considered across Colonel By Drive, aligning with the existing Multi-Use Pathway connection to Nicholas, just south of Laurier Avenue.
• Through other works now in the implementation phase, the Laurier /Nicolas intersection will be upgraded to a protected intersection, with a two-way cross-ride on the western leg.

Accessibility benefits:

• The proposed bi-directional cycle tracks provide a comfortable and safe facility for many forms of mobility devices.
• New accessibility approved half-height curb to provide separation between walkway and bikeway.
• The number of northbound and eastbound cyclists using the adjacent sidewalks to access the Mackenzie Avenue cycle track and Rideau Canal Eastern Pathway will be reduced significantly.
• Addition of Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSI) at the intersection of Colonel By Drive and Daly Avenue will better define hazard zones.
• New signage and accessibility approved features will be added where cycle tracks transition into pedestrian priority slow zone, south of Daly intersection.