Overview
The City of Ottawa has completed a traffic calming study along Fourth Avenue in the vicinity of Corpus Christi and Mutchmor elementary schools (between Percy Street and Lyon Street South). This study was initiated as part of the Traffic Calming in School Areas initiative of the City’s Road Safety Action Plan (RSAP). The recommended traffic calming plan for this section of Fourth Avenue has now been finalized and approved. This project is now in the implementation phase, which consists of completing a detailed design followed by construction.
The purpose of this study is to reduce the negative impacts of motorized traffic and promote safety of students.
Traffic Calming
Traffic calming is the combination of mainly physical measures that help to reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behaviour, and improve conditions for non-motorized street users. Traffic calming studies recommend localized retrofits to the roadway to address traffic concerns as opposed to a complete reconstruction of the street. More information about the types of traffic calming suitable for City streets is available online.
Public consultation and final recommendations
An online survey was conducted between September 23 and October 18, 2021. The survey results indicated that an overwhelming majority (approximately 84%) of respondents were either supportive or very supportive of the recommended plan that was presented. The complete results of the online survey have been summarized in an As We Heard It report, which is provided below.
As We Heard It Report [ PDF 811 KB ]
Final Recommendations
Based on traffic data, coordination with various stakeholders, public feedback and other project constraints, City staff have recommended the following traffic calming plan (shown below).
Design (full drawing)
The design includes:
- 2 Speed Humps
- 1 Raised Crosswalk and Type ‘D’ Pedestrian Crossover (PXO) (designated area that allows pedestrians to safely cross the street, where vehicles must yield to pedestrians when crossing)
Next Steps
Now that a final recommended plan has been finalized and funding has been secured, the approved traffic calming plan will proceed to detailed design and construction. These steps typically take one to two years to complete. We are currently targeting construction in 2022 if possible.
Accessibility is an important consideration for the City of Ottawa. If you require special accommodation, or for any inquiries, please call or email the following City of Ottawa project contact:
Jason Endrawis, P.Eng.
City of Ottawa
110 Laurier Avenue West; Ottawa, ON K1P 1J1
613-580-2424 ext. 13766
Jason.Endrawis@Ottawa.ca