Notice of Project Initiation
Project Description
The City of Ottawa has initiated a Functional Design Study for Kent Street from Somerset Street to Catherine Street, as shown in the figure below. This study will explore the potential to reduce the number of vehicular lanes and reallocate this space to active transportation improvements for pedestrians and cyclists. The City of Ottawa is undertaking this study in anticipation of an integrated road, water and sewer reconstruction of Kent Street from Somerset Street to Florence Street. The segment from Florence Street to Catherine Street is not currently planned for reconstruction. As such, only lower impact measures such as pavement markings, pinned curbs and flex posts will be considered for the southern segment and are subject to future budget approval.
The renewal of this corridor will implement the vision of the City of Ottawa Official Plan, which identifies Kent Street as a minor corridor within a design priority area. The Centretown Community Design Plan (CDP) objectives are to make Kent Street more pedestrian friendly and green. Kent Street does not have a cycling designation under the 2023 Transportation Master Plan, however as an arterial road, dedicated cycling facilities are recommended as part of all reconstruction projects.
The objective of this functional design study is to review and evaluate the alternative design choices for the reconstruction of the streets, including:
- Undertaking a transportation study to establish the lane arrangements, including turning lanes at intersections
- Confirming on-street parking and loading solutions
- Determining sidewalk width, boulevard width and cycling requirements
Project Result and Timing
The project will result in the preparation and approval of a functional design that will serve as a basis for subsequent detailed designs for the full road reconstructions. It is anticipated that the functional design study will be completed in autumn 2025.
Public Involvement
Opportunities for public involvement will be provided and public input is welcome throughout the course of the study. Further details regarding the proposed design and public consultation will be posted to this page as the study progresses.
For further information or to provide comments, contact the City’s project manager at the address below.
Vanessa Black, P.Eng.
Transportation Engineer
Planning, Development and Building Services Department
Email: vanessa.black@ottawa.ca
Virtual Public Information Session
June 17, 2025
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
You are invited to a virtual public information session to discuss a functional design study for Kent Street from Somerset Street to Catherine Street. During this session, the City of Ottawa will present the project scope, planning context and draft recommended functional design. Staff will be present to answer any questions and receive comments. Please join this virtual meeting via Zoom.
The presentation and drawings are available below. Questions and comments can be sent to the City’s project manager via email.
Kent Street Functional Design Study (Somerset Street to Florence Street) [ PDF 669 KB ]
Kent Street Functional Design Study Presentation [ PDF 5.741 MB ]
Project summary
What: A functional design study exploring the potential to reduce the number of vehicular lanes and reallocate this space to active transportation improvements for pedestrians and cyclists.
Why: The existing watermain, sewers and road infrastructure along Kent Street from Somerset Street to Florence Street has reached the end of its useful life and requires replacement to continue to provide the required level of service. This presents the opportunity to reimagine the street configuration.
When: The functional design study is ongoing, completion is anticipated in autumn 2025.
Where:
- Kent Street from Somerset Street to Florence Street – integrated reconstruction project
- Kent Street from Florence Street to Catherine Street – lower impact measures, subject to future budget approval
Accessibility is an important consideration for the City of Ottawa. If you require special accommodations, please contact the Project Manager in advance:
For further information or to provide comments, contact the City’s project manager at the address below.
Vanessa Black, P.Eng.
Transportation Engineer
Planning, Development and Building Services Department
Email: vanessa.black@ottawa.ca