Bank Street widening and reconstruction (south of Leitrim Road to south of Blais Road)

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Project description

The City of Ottawa is undertaking the design work for a two-kilometre widening of Bank Street from two to four lanes, including a raised median and modifications to signalized intersections that will have protected intersection features. The project will also include approximately four kilometres of sidewalks, cycle tracks and grass boulevards and 0.6 kilometres of paved shoulders.

The project limits include:

• Bank Street from south of Leitrim Road to south of Blais Road

Municipal services

As part of the Bank Street Widening Project, the City is replacing the existing local sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and watermain infrastructure. This will include the replacement of service laterals to the property line:

• The watermain will be replaced throughout the project limits.
• The sanitary sewer will be replaced from south of Leitrim Road to 125 metres south of White Alder Avenue.
• The storm sewer will be replaced through the project limits.

In addition, one of the sanitary forcemains within the limits will be replaced from south of Leitrim Road to the pump station on Findlay Creek Drive.

Road works

The work includes the widening of Bank Street through the project limits to service the future traffic volumes from the on-going development of Findlay Creek. 

This will include upgrades to the corridor cross-section that will include:

• New four-lane roadway cross-section
• New two metre sidewalks on both sides of Bank Street
• Dedicated protected cycling facilities on both sides of Bank Street
• Five fully protected intersections

Project timing

Design completion: winter 2024
Construction start: spring 2024
Construction completion: to be confirmed

Construction staging

2024 Works (First stage)

• Construction of Bank Street from Blais Road to Shuttleworth Drive, including road, water, sewers, sidewalks, bike facility, and the Findlay Creek culvert
  • Bank Street closure just north of Blais Road to just south of Shuttleworth Drive from July 2 to December 2024
  • Detours will be in place along Hawthorne and Albion roads
  • Temporary roadway widening for 2025 readiness expected between Shuttleworth Drive and Leitrim Road (no traffic impacts)
  • Some utility relocations along the whole corridor (Hydro, Enbridge)
• Construction of the Blais/Miikana intersection
  • To be constructed while maintaining traffic
• Construction of storm sewer and watermain across the Bank/Shuttleworth intersection (underground only)

2025/2026 Works (Second stage)

• Construction along Bank Street from Shuttleworth Drive (including the intersection) to south of Leitrim Drive
• Two lanes of traffic will be maintained but traffic delays are to be expected
  • Lane closures/flagging may be required off-peak to facilitate construction operations
• Construction work fronting businesses
  • Partial closures of driveway entrances are to be expected as the work progresses. Restrictions will be in place to minimize disruptions and ensure all other accesses (if applicable) remain open and unobstructed.
• Findlay Creek Drive from Bank Street to approximately 150 metres west will be impacted to install the new sanitary forcemain to the existing pump station
  • Two lanes of traffic will be maintained, but delays are to be expected.

Project budget

Approved project funds to date are $50 million.

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(link is external) 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, please call the City of Ottawa at 3-1-1.
To obtain any additional information on this project, please contact the City’s Project Manager:

City Project Manager
Stephen Gallagher(link opens email application), P.Eng., PMP.
Senior Engineer, Infrastructure Projects
Design and Construction – Municipal
Tel: 613-580-2424, ext. 16011

Contract Administrator
Scott Weisenberg(link opens email application), P.Eng.
Robinson Consultants Inc.
Tel: 613-592-6060, ext. 112

City On-Site Representative
Tim Dejong(link opens email application)
Construction Technician
Tel: 613-552-0376

Contractor Representative
Travis Jones(link opens email application), Project Manager
Thomas Cavanagh Construction Limited
Tel: 613-552-6931

In early March, the City of Ottawa plans to resume construction on the Bank Street Widening and Reconstruction project. The work this year includes the installation of underground infrastructure and road widening on the west side of Bank Street from Shuttleworth Drive to south of Leitrim Road.

What: The widening of Bank Street to four lanes includes installation, rehabilitation and/or replacement of various components of the underground infrastructure including watermains, sanitary sewers, and storm sewers. The project also includes the rehabilitation of streetscape elements including sidewalk, cycling and transit provisions, streetlighting, traffic signals and streetscaping.

Why: To rehabilitate underground infrastructure and construct a safe arterial main street which will cater to vehicles, transit, cyclists and pedestrians. 

When: Construction is planned to resume in early March and is expected to be complete in fall 2026.

Where: Bank Street from south of Leitrim Road to south of Blais and Miikana roads.

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

Traffic management

No road closures are planned to take place however lane closures will occur at different sections of Bank Street as necessary, and at some of the intersecting streets with Bank Street. Flagging operations will be in place to avoid collisions with oncoming traffic. Sidewalk closures will occur at some locations and detours will be in place to accomodate pedestrians.

Impact to adjacent private properties

The reconstruction may result in some disruption to private properties directly adjacent to the work. The City will reinstate sections of driveways, walkways and landscaping that are disturbed by construction. 

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.

Short term disruptions to water service may be experienced by properties along Bank Street or in close proximity to Bank Street. If your property will be impacted, you will receive notification of the anticipated timelines in advance of the disruption to ensure you are able to plan accordingly.

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.

As you may be aware, the City of Ottawa implemented most of the new traffic calming measures on White Alder Avenue last year as part of the Bank Street widening and reconstruction project. The last remaining location, at White Alder Avenue and Spartina Street, was originally recommended to have a raised pedestrian crossing. To prevent impacting the pedestrian bridge south of the intersection, the City is recommending to install a non-raised pedestrian crossing at White Alder Avenue and Spartina Street, with speed humps on the White Alder Avenue approaches.

What: Pedestrian crossing and speed humps in the vicinity of White Alder Avenue and Spartina Street, see layout below.

Why: Traffic calming measure to increase resident safety in the community.

When: Construction in May/June 2025.

Where: White Alder Avenue on approach to Spartina Street.

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

Traffic management

No road closures are taking place. Temporary lane closures will occur to install the speed humps, flagging operations will be in place to maintain traffic during lane closures.

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.

As published in a recent project e-newsletter, the following is a summary of the work completed to date and what is expected for 2025 as part of the Bank Street Widening and Reconstruction (south of Leitrim Road to south of Blais Road) project.

To receive the project e-newsletters to your inbox, sign up at ottawa.ca/esubscriptions(link is external).

Work completed to date:

• Bank Street was closed from Blais/Miikana to Shuttleworth Drive on July 2 and reopened on December 6.
• The new deep storm sewer was installed from south of the Blais/Miikana intersection to south of the Findlay Creek Drive intersection. 
• The new watermain was installed from south of the Blais/Miikana intersection to north of the Shuttleworth Drive intersection.
• The culvert at Findlay Creek was removed and has been replaced with new culvert components.
• The road reconstruction and widening was completed from south of the Blais/Miikana intersection to the Shuttleworth Drive intersection, including permanent modifications to the Bank and Blais/Miikana intersection.
• New streetlights have been installed from Blais/Miikana to Shuttleworth Drive.

Planned work in 2025:

• Installation of underground infrastructure toward Leitrim Road, including continuation of the new storm sewer and watermain, plus installation of a new sanitary forcemain from Findlay Creek Drive and a new sanitary sewer from south of the White Alder/Analdea intersection.
• Road reconstruction and widening of Bank Street from Shuttleworth Drive to Findlay Creek Drive, including permanent modification to the Bank and Shuttleworth intersection.

Traffic calming initiatives

Traffic calming initiatives, both permanent and temporary, were implemented as part of this project at a number of intersections to assist with pedestrian and cyclist safety. The temporary measures that were installed are now removed for winter and will be reinstalled next spring. The permanent traffic calming measure at the intersection of White Alder Avenue and Spartina Street will be implemented in the spring 2025.

Support local businesses during construction

The contractor will continue to ensure access to local businesses is available at all times throughout the duration of this project and will be working with our local businesses to coordinate works so that customer access can be maintained. You are encouraged to shop locally and support Findlay Creek businesses during this construction period.

In mid-October, the City of Ottawa will commence construction of new underground infrastructure on Bank Street from Shuttleworth Drive to just south of Findlay Creek Drive.

What: The underground infrastructure includes the new storm sewer and watermain.

Why: It is part of the rehabilitation of underground infrastructure on the Bank Street Widening and Reconstruction project.

When: The work is planned from mid-October to December 2024.

Where: Bank Street from Shuttleworth Drive to just south of Findlay Creek Drive.

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

Traffic management

Traffic will be maintained from Shuttleworth Drive to Findlay Creek Drive while the work is ongoing. Lane reductions during off peak times can be expected for short durations. Access to Findlay Creek Centre and Cowan’s Grove Plaza will be maintained.

Construction disruptions

The contractor will take every precaution to minimize interruptions to the 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. If your property will be impacted, you will receive notification of the anticipated timelines in advance of the disruption to ensure you are able to plan accordingly. 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.

Night work

The City’s Noise By-law normally prohibits work between the hours of 10 pm and 7 am, Monday to Saturday and between 10 pm and 9 am on Sunday, however construction during the overnight hours may be required to complete this work. A Noise By-law exemption permit will be obtained to allow work to occur during overnight hours as needed.

In late June, the City of Ottawa will start construction on the Bank Street Widening and Reconstruction project. To accommodate construction in 2024, Bank Street will be closed from Shuttleworth Drive to Blais/Miikana from July 2 to December 2024. The closure is necessary to ensure the safety of the public and workers during the construction within this area.

What: The widening of Bank Street to four lanes includes the installation, rehabilitation and/or replacement of various components of the underground infrastructure including watermains and sanitary and storm sewers. The project also includes the rehabilitation of streetscape elements including sidewalk, cycling and transit, provisions, street lighting, traffic signals and streetscape improvements.

Why: To rehabilitate underground infrastructure and construct a safe arterial main street which will cater to vehicles, transit, cyclists and pedestrians.

When: Construction is to begin in late June 2024 and be complete in fall 2026.

Where: Bank Street from south of Leitrim Road to south of Blais Road.

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

Traffic management

Bank Street will be closed from Shuttleworth Drive to Blais/Miikana from July to December 2024.

Detour 1 (West): via Rideau Road – Albion Road – Lester Road
Detour 2 (East): via Rideau Road – Hawthorne Road – Leitrim Road

Traffic will be maintained on Bank Street from Shuttleworth Drive to Leitrim Road. The east, west, and south legs of the Blais Road /Miikana Road intersection will remain open during the closure allowing vehicles to access Hawthorne Road as well as travel south on Bank Street. Similarly, the east, west, and north legs of the Shuttleworth Drive intersection will remain open during the closure allowing vehicles to access the Findlay Creek Centre as well as travel north on Bank Street. To accommodate the proposed construction, lane reductions during off peak times can be expected for short durations.

Support local businesses during construction

The contractor will ensure access to local businesses is available at all times and will be working with our local businesses to coordinate works so that customer access is not impeded. Signage is now posted along Bank Street and on the detour route to indicate that Findlay Creek businesses are open as usual.

You are encouraged to shop locally and support the Findlay Creek Bank Street and area businesses during this construction period.

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. Short term disruptions to water service may be experienced by properties along Bank or in close proximity to Bank Street. If your property will be impacted, you will receive notification of the anticipated timelines in advance of the disruption to ensure you are able to plan accordingly. 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.

Pre-construction inspection

The contractor is required to carry out a pre-construction inspection of homes in the work area if the homeowner is in agreement. A representative from the contractor or designate will be contacting you to schedule these inspections. 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.

Night work

The City’s noise by-law normally prohibits work between the hours of 10 pm and 7 am, Monday to Saturday and between 10 pm and 9 am on Sunday, however construction during the overnight hours may be required to complete this work. A noise by-law exemption permit will be obtained to allow work to occur during overnight hours as needed. For construction activity hours of work, the City of Ottawa follows provincial requirements and the City’s Noise By-law (2017-255).

Public information session (June 11 to 25, 2024)

On June 11, 2024, the City of Ottawa invited residents to review the updated project drawings and provide comments by June 25, 2024.

Presentation [ 3.48 MB ] Opens in a new tab or window(link is external)

Road closure information session (March 21 & 26, 2024)

The following information was shared to the business community on March 21 and at the Findlay Creek Town Hall on March 26.

Road closure information package [ 8.52 MB ] Opens in a new tab or window(link is external)

Public information session – open house (January 23 to February 6, 2024)

On January 23, 2024, the City of Ottawa invited residents to review the project drawings and provide comments by February 6, 2024.

Presentation [ 2.05 MB ] Opens in a new tab or window(link is external)
Drawing 01 [ 13.54 MB ] Opens in a new tab or window(link is external)
Drawing 02 [ 14.23 MB ] Opens in a new tab or window(link is external)
Drawing 03 [ 13.28 MB ] Opens in a new tab or window(link is external)
Drawing 04 [ 13.36 MB ] Opens in a new tab or window(link is external)
Drawing 05 [ 13.09 MB ] Opens in a new tab or window(link is external)
Drawing 06 [ 13.50 MB ] Opens in a new tab or window(link is external)

Summary report [ 91.63 KB ] Opens in a new tab or window(link is external)

Public information session (April 24 to May 19, 2023)

On April 24, 2023, the City of Ottawa invited residents to review the project drawings and provide comments by May 19, 2023.

Presentation [ 2.07 MB ] Opens in a new tab or window(link is external)
Drawings [ 9.92 MB ] Opens in a new tab or window(link is external)