Smyth Road Cycling Safety Improvements and Neighbourhood Bikeway Modifications

The Smyth Road Cycling Safety Improvements and Neighbourhood Bikeway Modifications project consists of two projects, initially designed to be completed as one single project. The overall project included a combination of cycling improvements along Smyth Road and the neighbourhood bikeway modifications along Pleasant Park Drive, Rodney Crescent, Billings Avenue, Lynda Lane multi-use pathway and Portage Avenue.

As the project progressed, a split of the two aforementioned works was required as a result of a proposed long term care facility to be implemented within the vicinity of the Smyth Road Cycling Improvements work. As a result, the works along Smyth Road will be delayed while the Neighbourhood Bikeway Modifications were completed in fall 2022.

A brief summary of the work and locations for the Neighbourhood Bikeway Modifications project can be found below: 

• Modifications to the Pleasant Park and Riverside Drive Intersection
• Modifications to the south end of Frobisher Lane (connection from on-road to off-road)
• Modifications to the south side of Pleasant Park Road at Rodney Crescent
• Modifications to improve connectivity on the west side of Rodney Crescent at the MUP connection
• Signalized Pedestrian Crossing (PXO) at Lynda Lane and Billings Avenue 
• Pavement markings and signage to identify cycling route along Pleasant Park (Riverside Drive to Rodney Crescent), Rodney Crescent (Pleasant Park Road to Billings Avenue), Billings Avenue (Rodney Crescent to Lynda Lane), Lynda Lane Park MUP (Lynda Lane to Portage Avenue) and Portage Avenue (Lynda Lane Park MUP to Dauphin Road) 

Project scope and timeline for the Smyth Road Cycling Safety Improvements portion of the project will be updated once more information is available.

Project timing

Neighbourhood Bikeway Modifications
Design : complete
Construction: completed July 2023

Smyth Road Cycling Safety Improvements
Design: ongoing
Construction: anticipated for 2024

The City is actively collaborating with a proposed development within the vicinity of the Smyth Road Cycling Safety Improvements project to finalize the design of the cycling safety improvements and coordinate the timing of construction. The proposed development involves underground servicing work, which must be completed prior to the City’s cycling safety improvements. As a result, we anticipate that the construction of the City’s Smyth Road Cycling Safety Improvements project will commence in 2024.

Project budget

Approved project funds to date for the Neighbourhood Bikeway Modifications are $275,000.
Approved project funds to date for the Smyth Road Cycling Safety Improvements are $805,000.

Public engagement

An online public engagement opportunity was held in the spring of 2021, to present the preliminary design drawings to the public. At that time the public was able to review the design, ask questions and provide comments on the proposed works. At that time, the works were presented as one project but have since been split into two components due to the required coordination with the proposed development at 1919 Riverside Drive.

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 Representative.

City Project Manager
Christine Reist, P.Eng.
Senior Engineer, Infrastructure Services
Design and Construction – Municipal
100 Constellation Drive, Ottawa, ON K2G 6J8
Tel: 613-580-2424, ext. 27820

Consultant Project Manager
Samantha Langford, P.Eng
Project Manager
IBI Group 
333 Preston Street, Ottawa, ON K1S 5N4

Contractor Representative
Nagantharan A. Naidu
Project Manager 
Ottawa -D-Squared Construction Limited
6811 Hiram Drive,Greely, K4P 1A2
Tel.: 613-978-5688

In September 2022, the City of Ottawa will commence construction for the implementation of improved cycling facilities within the Alta Vista Ward.

What: The work will include improved wayfinding signage, pavement markings, a pedestrian crossing signal and concrete works to improve cycling connectivity and clarity.   

Why: To improve cycling connectivity and cycling route clarity. 

When: Construction is expected to begin in late September and be completed by mid-November, 2022.    

Where: The work will take place at the Pleasant Park and Riverside intersection, along Pleasant Park Drive, Rodney Crescent, Billings Avenue, Lynda Lane and Frobisher Pathway.  

Who: The City of Ottawa has retained the Contractor, Ottawa D-Squared Construction Limited, to complete the work.

Traffic impacts

During construction intermittent lane reductions may be required. Signage and traffic control personnel will flag traffic through the site. Pedestrian detours will be signed at times when it is necessary to close sidewalks. For impacts to the regular bus schedule please visit octranspo.com.

On-street parking

As the various road reconstruction activities are in progress on your street, on-street parking may 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.

Construction disruptions

Ottawa D-Squared Construction Limited 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 delays when travelling around the construction zone, 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 in advance for your patience and co-operation. For construction activity hours of work, the City of Ottawa follows provincial requirements and the City’s the Noise By-law (2017-255).

Update (July 2022):

The online engagement opportunity was held for both projects Smyth Road Cycling Safety Improvements and the Neighbourhood Bikeway Modifications. As mentioned above, the Smyth Road Cycling Improvements will be delayed, however the Neighbourhood Bikeway Modifications are anticipated to move to construction this summer, 2022. The design portion for the Smyth Road Cycling Safety Improvements may need to be reassessed following the private development proposed design.

The City of Ottawa continues to take precautionary steps to protect members of the public. As an alternative to hosting in-person public information sessions, information is being posted to Ottawa.ca. The City remains committed to keeping the public informed of projects occurring in your neighbourhood.

The City of Ottawa invites you to review and provide comments on the Smyth Road Cycling Safety Improvements and Neighbourhood Bike Modifications project by June 23, 2021.

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A virtual public information session will be held on Wednesday, June 16 at 6:30 pm.

What: This project will provide formal cycling facilities along Smyth Road from Riverside Drive to the Ottawa Hospital Riverside Campus Intersection, including modifications to the Riverside Drive on/off ramps. The project will also involve cycling connectivity improvements between Frobisher Lane and Smyth Road, on Pleasant Park Road at Rodney Crescent, and on Rodney Crescent at Billings Avenue. A pedestrian cross-over is proposed on Lynda Lane at Billings Avenue and new wayfinding signage and pavement markings will be included for cycling route clarity throughout the project limits.

Why: To improve pedestrian safety and intercity cycling connectivity.

Where:

• Smyth Road – Riverside Drive to the Ottawa Hospital Riverside Campus
  • Northern and Southern end of Frobisher Pathway
  • Pleasant Park Road – Riverside Drive to Rodney Crescent
  • Rodney Crescent – Pleasant Park Road to Billings Avenue
  • Billings Avenue – Rodney Crescent to Lynda Lane
  • Lynda Lane Pathway – Lynda Lane to Portage Avenue
  • Portage Avenue – Lynda Lane Pathway to Dauphin Avenue

When: The current project schedule is as follows:

• Design is expected to be completed in early summer 2021
• Construction is expected to start in mid to late summer 2021 with a possibility of 2022 construction.

Notifications will be sent to residents prior to the start of construction.

Who: The City of Ottawa has retained the design consulting firm, IBI Group, to develop a design for the Smyth Road Cycling Safety Improvements project.

For further information about this project and/or to submit comments on the project, please contact the City project manager.