Project overview
Project description
The City of Ottawa plans to replace the watermain, sewers and road surface on City Centre Avenue and Elm Street West. The underground infrastructure is nearing the end of its life span and needs to be replaced. The pipe replacement work provides an opportunity to reconstruct the road including new concrete sidewalks, road surface, trees, traffic calming measures and addition of cycling facilities on City Centre Avenue.
The project limits include:
- City Centre Avenue (200m), from Albert Street to Elm Street West
- Elm Street West (230m), from City Centre Avenue to Preston Street
Project timing
Design: underway
Construction start: June 2023
Construction completion: summer 2024
Project budget
Total project budget: $7.8 million (subject to 2023 budget approval)
Public engagement
A virtual public information session was held on Tuesday December 13, 2022 at 7 pm. The information session outlined the project scope of work, design drawings and provided an opportunity for feedback and questions.
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
April Mills, C.E.T.
Project Manager, Infrastructure Projects
100 Constellation Drive, Ottawa, ON K2G 6J8
Tel: 613-580-2424, ext.15598
Contract Administrator
Lisa Emond, P.Eng.
Project Engineer
Robinson Consultants Inc.
Tel: 613-592-6060, ext.128
Contractor Representative
Hilary Lalonde, C.Tech.
Project Manager
Thomas Cavanagh Construction Ltd.
Tel: 613-298-8524
Site Inspector
Stu Hefler
Senior Site Inspector
City of Ottawa
Tel: 613-581-2344
Spring start-up & construction update (April 2024)
Construction for this project will start-up this spring in April 2024, weather dependent. Landscaping and top lift of asphalt will be completed on City Centre Avenue (Elm Street to Albert Street) and Elm Street (City Centre Avenue to Preston Street).
What: The proposed work involves renewal of sewers, watermains, roadways, sidewalks, cycle tracks and traffic calming measures.
Why: The existing watermain, combined sewer and road infrastructure has reached the end of its useful life and requires replacement to continue to provide the required level of service to your neighborhood.
When: Construction on City Centre Avenue and Elm Street will re-start in April 2024, weather dependent, and be completed by summer 2024.
Where:
- City Centre Avenue, from Elm Street to Albert Street
- Elm Street, from City Centre Avenue to Preston Street
Who: The City of Ottawa has retained the contractor, Thomas Cavanagh Construction Ltd., to complete the work.
Traffic impacts
Lane reductions and alternating traffic can be expected during construction to accommodate the work. Access to local businesses and private properties will be maintained throughout the construction period. Access for pedestrians and cyclists will be maintained.
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. 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).
Public information session: Elm Street spring landscaping (April 10, 2024)
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
5 to 7 pm
Rochester room at the Plant Recreation Center
930 Somerset Street W, Ottawa
The City of Ottawa invites you to attend an informal meeting with staff to discuss the completion of the City Centre Avenue and Elm Street West - Water, Sewer, and Road Renewal project.
This meeting will provide an opportunity for residents to address any questions regarding final reinstatement with the project team. There will not be a formal presentation at this meeting, please attend at your leisure.
Project details
What: The proposed work involves replacement of the existing combined sewer and watermain, full road reconstruction including curbs, sidewalks and traffic calming measures, and implementation of cycle tracks along City Centre Avenue.
Why: The work is being conducted to improve the aging infrastructure in your community, to implement traffic calming measures, and to improve pedestrian and cyclist facilities.
When: This work is expected to be completed by June 2024.
Who: The City of Ottawa has retained the contractor, Thomas Cavanagh Construction Ltd., to complete the work.
Where: The project limits include City Centre Avenue from Albert Street to Elm Street and Elm Street from City Centre Avenue to Preston Street.
For further information about this project and/or to submit comments, please contact the City’s Project Manager.
City Project Manager
April Mills, C.E.T.
Infrastructure Projects
Design and Construction – Municipal
100 Constellation Drive, Ottawa, ON K2G 6J8
Tel.: 613-580-2424, ext. 15598
Consultant Project Manager
Mario Kotowski, P.Eng.
Robinson Consultants Inc.
350 Palladium Drive, Suite 210
Ottawa ON K2V 1A8
Tel.: 613-592-6060, ext. 131
Construction notice (June 2023)
This notice is to advise that construction in your neighbourhood will be starting in spring 2023. Work will include the replacement of underground sewers and watermains and a full road reconstruction.
What: The proposed work involves renewal of sewers, watermains, roadways, sidewalks, cycle tracks and traffic calming measures.
Why: The existing watermain, combined sewer and road infrastructure has reached the end of its useful life and requires replacement to continue to provide the required level of service to your neighborhood.
When: This work is tentatively planned to begin in June 2023 and will be completed by summer 2024.
Where: The proposed work will occur on City Centre Avenue from Elm Street to Albert Street and on Elm Street from City Centre Avenue to Preston Street.
Who: The City of Ottawa has retained the Contractor, Thomas Cavanagh Construction Ltd., to complete the work.
Traffic management
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.
Work is anticipated to start at the Albert Street and City Centre Avenue intersection. During this time (approximately 4 weeks), the following traffic restrictions will apply:
- one way traffic only in the southbound direction on City Centre Avenue from Albert Street to Elm Street
- one way traffic only in the eastbound direction on Elm Street from City Centre Avenue to Preston Street
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 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.
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 may want to move them in preparation for the construction work.
Lawn irrigation systems
If you own a subsurface lawn irrigation system, please notify the City Project Manger identified below.
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.
Temporary water services
During the replacement of the watermain, water will be supplied to buildings by temporary water lines. While your property will be 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, please contact Revenue at 613-580-2444 or WS-Billing@ottawa.ca.
Municipal fire suppression will continue during the construction period. Please note that private fire suppression systems may be impacted. Temporary water is provided for domestic consumption purposes only. 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’s on-site representative or call the City of Ottawa at 3-1-1 in the evenings or weekends.
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. 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).
Construction notice (May 2023)
This notice is to advise that construction in your neighbourhood will be starting in spring 2023. Work will include the replacement of the underground sewer and watermain and full road reconstruction.
What: The proposed work involves replacement of the existing combined sewer and watermain, full road reconstruction including curbs, sidewalks and traffic calming measures, and implementation of cycle tracks along City Centre Avenue.
Why: The work is being conducted to improve the aging infrastructure in your community, to implement traffic calming measures, and to improve pedestrian and cyclist facilities.
When: This work is tentatively planned to begin in spring 2023 and will be completed by summer 2024.
Where: The project limits include City Centre Avenue from Albert Street to Elm Street and Elm Street from City Centre Avenue to Preston Street.
Who: The City of Ottawa has retained the Contractor, Thomas Cavanagh Construction Ltd., to complete the work.
Traffic management
In order to accommodate the proposed construction, various lane reductions, road closures and/or detours will be required. Access to local businesses and private properties will be maintained throughout the construction period.
In order to accommodate the underground works near the City Centre Avenue and Albert Street intersection, City Centre Avenue will be reduced to 1-lane only southbound for approximately 4 weeks. During this time, the mid-block closure on Elm Street will be temporary removed to allow traffic to exit on Preston Street.
Parking impacts
To allow the work to be completed in a timely manner, on-street parking may be prohibited on City Centre Avenue and/or Elm Street during the construction period. During these times, parking will be permitted in other areas of the project and on adjacent side streets. Residents will be given advanced notice of any parking prohibition and signs will be erected accordingly.
Pre-construction inspection
The contractor is required to carry out a pre-construction inspection of buildings in the work area if the property owner 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.
Temporary water services
During the replacement of the watermain, water will be supplied to buildings by temporary water lines. While your property will be 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, please contact Revenue at 613-580-2444 or WS-Billing@ottawa.ca.
Municipal fire suppression will continue during the construction period. Please note that private fire suppression systems may be impacted. Temporary water is provided for domestic consumption purposes only. 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’s on-site representative or call the City of Ottawa at 3-1-1 in the evenings or weekends.
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. 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).
Online engagement opportunity (December 13, 2022 to January 6, 2023)
The City of Ottawa continues to take precautionary steps to protect members of the public and respect concerns of public safety during these unprecedented times. Therefore, as an alternative to hosting in-person public information sessions, information on this project is being posted to Ottawa.ca for your review and comment. The City remains committed to keeping the public informed of projects occurring in your neighbourhood.
For the City Centre Avenue and Elm Street West, Integrated Road Renewal project, the project team will be taking a proactive approach and will update you using different methods of communication including mailed notices, an online presentation and posting information on Ottawa.ca.
A virtual public information session was held on Tuesday December 13, 2022, at 7 pm. The information session outlined the project scope of work, design drawings and provided an opportunity for feedback and questions.
Presentation [ 536.44 KB ]
Proposed roadway improvements - Sheet 1 [ 1.06 MB ]
Proposed roadway improvements - Sheet 2 [ 1.04 MB ]
Proposed roadway improvements - Sheet 3 [ 1.07 MB ]
Proposed watermain and sewer improvements - Sheet 1 [ 403.18 KB ]
Proposed watermain and sewer improvements - Sheet 2 [ 357.29 KB ]
Proposed watermain and sewer improvements - Sheet 3 [ 499.24 KB ]
What: The City of Ottawa plans to replace the watermain, sewers and road surface on City Centre Avenue and Elm Street West.
Why: The underground infrastructure is nearing the end of its life span and needs to be replaced. The pipe replacement work provides an opportunity to reconstruct the road including new concrete sidewalks, road surface, trees, traffic calming measures and addition of cycling facilities on City Centre Avenue
Where:
- City Centre Avenue (200 metres), from Albert Street to Elm Street West
- Elm Street West (230 metres), from City Centre Avenue to Preston Street
When: The current project schedule is as follows:
- Design is expected to be completed in winter 2022
- Construction is expected to start in spring 2023
- Construction completion is expected in summer 2024
Notices will be sent prior to construction.
Who: The City of Ottawa has retained the design consulting firm, Robinson Consultants Inc, to develop a design for the project.
For further information about this project and/or to submit comments on the project, please contact the City project manager.