Wheelchair-bound Joanne Trempe finds it difficult to get around Bank Street while it is under construction.
Dalal Chuaqui says she is depressed to be travelling to her friend’s art show, despite her passion for art.
“I feel so stressed when I come through here, and the stress takes over the excited feelings I had about going to the event."
Chuaqui requires the assistance of a cane for walking.
The art opening Chuaqui is attending is in the Ottawa Women’s Credit Union located on a stretch of Bank Street between Somerset Street and Laurier Avenue that has been closed due to construction since June.
Chuaqui doesn’t live in Centretown but frequent appointments and recreational activities often bring her into the community. But the construction work in the area has made it difficult for her to navigate her way.
Chuaqui requires a cane for her basic mobility needs. She says she has found herself choosing to stay at home rather than navigating through what she describes as a confusing mess of gravel she has trouble walking through.
Chuaqui’s frustration is shared by other Ottawa residents who need assistance with mobility such as Bev Gowe, a Centretown resident who now has difficulty walking due to an accident that occurred last month.
“I worked in construction on and off for 10 years, and you just don’t think how the condition of the road is affecting other people when you’re working,” she says.
Like Chuaqui, Gowe finds it challenging to travel and run errands in this area..
She says when she had to navigate the construction the first time after her accident she felt inconvenienced and confused as to how she was to get to her usual destinations on the closed road.
Like Chuaqui, she has had to alter the routes she takes to get downtown, often travelling further to avoid the site that she finds difficult to traverse.
“Pedestrians and bikers feel they are receiving the epitome of inconvenience by travelling through it and they become even more impatient and rushed than usual,” Gowe says.
“At times, it can make them less considerate to those with disabilities and makes the atmosphere of the area even worse.”
Mary Reid, who assists the accessibility advisory committee with planning or changes the committee makes, says Gowe and Chuaqui are typical examples of residents the committee strives to accommodate.
“The committee tries very hard to make life easier for those with disabilities by creating awareness and understanding of concerns that these individuals may have,” Reid says.
She says there are constant attempts by the committee to improve situations in construction areas and much has been improved over the years because the city has taken the committee’s suggestions into consideration.
Luke Foley, the project manager of construction in the area, agrees with Reid,
He says he believes the contractor has done a fantastic job of making the area accessible by implementing helpful minimums, such as keeping a two-metre sidewalk throughout the site.
Gowe has pointed out that they are simply fulfilling minimum requirements and the two metres of sidewalk space are often crowded with rushed pedestrians and bikers. Like Chuaqui, she feels the situation will only worsen with the ice and snow that will cover the sidewalks as the project continues into November.
He says the current construction is part two of a three-stage rehabilitation plan for Bank Street.
The next stage is planned for 2009 and will take place between Somerset Street and Arlington Street, Foley says.
Mary Hackett, a Centretown resident who relies on a motorized wheelchair for travel says she has a sense of hopelessness regarding the accessibility of the future construction area.
“I know they’re trying their best to be accommodating, but I know people in my building who don’t come down here anymore and who have begun using paid services such as grocery delivery.
“I hope there is some communication about this so this sort of thing doesn’t happen next time,” she says.