Mass confusion plagued drivers as they attempted to manoeuvre their way around Ottawa’s Little Italy during phase one of a massive Preston Street reconstruction project last year.
In an effort to avoid a repeat performance, the Preston Street BIA and the city have collaborated to provide better signage to clarify the detour around the area and the route providing access to stores along the street.
The roadway rehabilitation will be the subject of a March 31 open house organized by the City of Ottawa.
Somerset Coun. Diane Holmes says a key aim for the coming construction season is to make getting around much easier. She says when the road is closed, the public will be able to use Booth Street as a bypass and Rochester Street to reach retailers and restaurants.
“We’ll have signs on Rochester explaining to people what businesses are down what block,” says Holmes. “The point of the signage is to let people know that it’s business as usual.”
Lori Mellor, the Preston Street BIA’s executive director, says the signs were a major flaw during the first phase of the street’s roadway and sewer rehabilitation.
“The detour routes were really confusing. People got fed up and gave up.”
Mellor says the BIA tried to get the signs up for the construction last year, but a lot of “administrative red-tape” is involved. She says the signage should be approved before the rehabilitation resumes this year.
Construction begins in April along three sections of Preston Street, says Holmes. Albert Street to Spruce Street, Laurel Street to Young Street and Beech Street to Carling Avenue will be worked on. Work will also take place on Sidney Street and on Norfolk Avenue between Carling Avenue and Adeline Street.
She says one lane will remain open in both directions along the Albert Street stretch. In the other two sections, the road will be closed.
Holmes says the rehabilitation will, in the long run, beautify the area and solve infrastructure problems common to many older, downtown neighbourhoods. She says the goal is to create a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere with wider sidewalks, more trees, and outdoor patios for restaurants.
She expects disruptions to businesses, but says the condition of the sewer system has forced the city to act.
“The sewer system is inadequate; that’s why we’re digging up the whole road. We don’t do road reconstructions like this without a sewer and water demand.”
Mellor says the overtaxed sewer is more than 100 years old and floods frequently. She says she is concerned because last year, seven businesses went bankrupt during the first phase of construction.
“We’re very excited about the new Little Italy that’s going to emerge at the end of this,” she says. “But it’s going to be painful in the short term.”
Jasvin Dhillon, owner of Preston Food Market, says he fears the impact the extensive work will have on his business.
“I don’t want it,” he says. “When they close the street, business is gone.”
During last year’s construction, Dhillon says he lost 75 per cent of his customers and his business was nearly crippled.
“Nobody wants to walk in a construction zone,” he adds.
Alma Norman, a local resident, says bus re-routing will be a huge inconvenience to her. She doesn’t know how she will get around.
She says she would be more receptive if she thought there would be significant change.
“If I thought there was going to be an improvement I’d say, you’ve got to grit your teeth,” she says.
With businesses suffering, Holmes says she managed to secure $2.9 million to have the project completed sooner, reducing it from three, to two years. The entire project will cost up to $6 million, she says.
The rehabilitation of the Somerset Street Bridge will also resume this spring. Elizabeth Murphy, the city’s senior project manager, says that project was allotted $450,000.
“It will likely be completed in summer 2009,” she says.
The March 31 open house takes place in the Preston room of Plant Recreation Centre, 930 Somerset St. W., beginning at 7 p.m.