By Shannon Hagerman
Early spring weather may have solved the problem of ice and snow on Ottawa’s sidewalks but now it’s puddles that are creating problems for pedestrians.
Marjorie Fulton says the city isn’t doing enough to ensure sidewalks and intersections are free of ice and water.
Fulton is president of Ottawalk, a non-profit organization representing pedestrians in Ottawa.
She’s asking the city to spend more money clearing sidewalks.
Fulton, 66, is a retired civil servant. She is legally blind and walks with her guide dog Chris.
She says she often finds herself wading through ankle-deep water or slipping on icy sidewalks.
“Cars splash dirty-salty water in the eyes of my guide dog while we are walking,” says Fulton.
Fulton says it’s creating a potentially dangerous situation for pedestrians who jump into traffic as they dodge puddles.
She says city crews pile snow on the side of the road after a storm. Snow and ice collect around drainage basins, which become blocked, creating deep puddles after a thaw.
“The ice storm left a lot of ice on city sidewalks and intersections but it’s not a new problem,” says Fulton.
She says the problem could be solved if maintenance crews didn’t pile snow on top of catch basins.
Willy Dunn, manager of road maintenance for the city, says city crews have had a hard time keeping up with Ottawa’s freeze-thaw cycles.
“We’ve been fighting it all winter,” says Dunn.
Dunn says city crews have approximately 62,000 catch basins to open up in the city. The process involves salting and chipping ice away.
Dunn says the solution is not as simple as avoiding piling snow on catch basins.
He admits conditions would be improved if snow was picked up along city streets more often but says there isn’t enough money to do it. The city already spends $3 million every year to pay for sidewalk maintenance.
Dunn insists conditions will improve as the weather does. He says city crews are doing everything possible to control ice and water build-up during the winter.
The city has expanded a pilot project started last year to reduce ice on sidewalks by placing sandboxes full of salt and sand at various Centretown locations.
Fulton admits the sandboxes have been a success in reducing slippery sidewalks.
“It doesn’t prevent the problem but it does give you something to do when the problem happens,” she says.
She says she was encouraged when city engineers sent her a letter promising to modify the design of intersections and sidewalks.
The new design would place drainage basins at a lower level to reduce pools of water.
Fulton says it’s a good idea but won’t fix existing trouble spots.
She plans to raise the issue next month at budget hearings.
She wants a guarantee that the city and region are committed to improving walking conditions.
Spending more money and putting existing money to better use would improve conditions, she says.
Willy Dunn says residents who see large pools of water should inform the city.
Chris Bradshaw, of Pretoria Avenue, has his own technique of staying dry.
Bradshaw says he often gets soaked by passing cars as he makes his way around the city.
To stay dry he’s designed a new use for his umbrella.
“I put the umbrella between me, the street and the splashing water,” chuckles Bradshaw.