Haig Drive Traffic Calming Study

In response to traffic concerns raised by the residents of Haig Drive, the City of Ottawa has initiated a Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Study to address these concerns.

This study will investigate the existing conditions on Haig Drive between Kilborn Avenue and Smyth Road. This includes the review of the land use context, traffic conditions and any past and future plans that may impact Haig Drive. A traffic calming design concept will then be developed based on the existing conditions review and feedback from the community, City staff and project team.

Information on Traffic Calming

Traffic calming is defined as the combination of mostly physical measures and street design elements that are intended to reduce the negative impacts of motorized vehicles and improve safety for all street users. For more information, please refer to the Traffic Calming Design Guidelines.

To confirm that there was a reasonable level of support to proceed with this study, and to understand your concerns related to traffic along Haig Drive, we had developed an online survey that closed on Dec 31, 2020.

Following the Initial Online Survey, the responses and comments received from the community were reviewed. An “As We Heard It” report was prepared to summarize the results of the survey. A link to the report is provided below:

As We Heard It Report

One of the concerns that was raised by many residents was in relation to the study limits. The initial study limits were Haig Drive between Kilborn Avenue and Pleasant Park Road. However, after reviewing all the comments received from the community it was deemed necessary to revisit the study limits. A significant amount of comments and concerns were related to the section of Haig Drive between Pleasant Park Road and Smyth Road. Based on the results of the survey and discussions with the Ward Councilor, it was recommended to extend the study limits to Smyth Road. The new study limit is Haig Drive between Kilborn Avenue and Smyth Road.

Based on traffic data, coordination with various stakeholders, public feedback and project constraints, a proposed traffic calming plan was developed.

The proposed concept plan for Haig Drive included:

• Three sets of speed cushions to slow vehicular traffic as it travels along Haig Drive.
• Painted cycling lanes along Haig Drive from Smyth Rd to Kilborn Ave, and along Canterbury Ave from Kilborn Ave to Harding Rd in recognition of a short gap to other works. Cycling lanes require the street to be signed “No Stopping”. As a result, parking along this section of Haig Drive would have to be removed.
• Painted ladder markings at some locations.
• Other Roadway Modifications:
  • Intersection of Portage Ave/Dauphin Rd:
    • Relocation of the south leg stop bar to improve visibility
  • Intersection of Weston Dr:
    • Addition of pedestrian landing pads and corner tightening
    • Renewal of the pedestrian landing pads to current accessibility standards
  • Between Fairdale Ave and Cork St:
    • Mid-block ride-over bulb-out (east side)
  • Intersection of Pleasant Park Rd:
    • Addition of a pedestrian landing pad
    • Renewal of the pedestrian landing pads to current accessibility standards
    • Addition of two painted crosswalks

Learn More

• Display Boards [ PDF 2.074 MB ] (including traffic calming measure purposes and pros/cons)
• Full size detailed concept plan [ PDF 4.681 MB ]

Online Survey

The City of Ottawa hosted a second online consultation for the Haig Drive Traffic Calming study. 

An online survey was conducted from May 23 to June 9, 2023 to gather public feedback about the proposed concept plan. The results of this survey were compiled into an As We Heard It II report [ PDF 460 KB ].

Online Survey Results

Between May and June 2023, a second online survey was conducted to gather feedback about the proposed concept plan along Haig Drive. See the Online Survey section for complete results of the survey in an As We Heard It II report.

Final Recommended Traffic Calming Plan

Based on traffic data, coordination with various stakeholders, and other project constraints, City staff are recommending proceeding with the measures proposed in the May 2023 proposed concept plan, with a few minor adjustments.

The Final Recommended Traffic Calming Plan for Haig Drive includes:

• Three sets of speed cushions to slow vehicular traffic as it travels along Haig Drive.
• Modification: “Buffered” painted cycling lanes along Haig Drive from Smyth Rd to Kilborn Ave, and painted cycling lanes along Canterbury Ave from Kilborn Ave to Harding Rd to provide continuity to bike facilities. Cycling lanes require the street to be signed “No Stopping”. As a result, on-street parking along this section of Haig Drive will be removed.
• Painted ladder markings at some locations.
• Other Roadway Modifications:
  • Intersection of Portage Ave/Dauphin Rd:
  • Relocation of the south leg stop bar to improve visibility
  • Intersection of Weston Dr:
  • Addition of pedestrian landing pads and corner tightening
  • Renewal of the pedestrian landing pads to current accessibility standards
  • Between Fairdale Ave and Cork St:
  • Mid-block ride-over bulb-out (east side)
  • NEW: Mid-block ride-over bulb-out (west side)
  • Intersection of Pleasant Park Rd:
  • Addition of a pedestrian landing pad
  • Renewal of the pedestrian landing pads to current accessibility standards
  • Addition of two painted crosswalks

Full size Final Recommended Traffic Calming Plan [ PDF 4.428 MB ]