Ottawa’s business district is speaking with its feet and the city might listen.
Due to the heavy pedestrian congestion on the sidewalks at Metcalfe Street the transit and pedestrian advisory committee recommended that the city widen the 2.6 metre sidewalk along Metcalfe Street and replace one car lane with a bike lane.
The recommendation is based on the fact that once the workday is done 3,000 people an hour cross the intersection at Metcalfe and Slater and more than 2,000 cross Metcalfe and Albert.
These intersections are the first and fifth busiest intersections in Ottawa respectively.
City staff have backed up the volunteer advisory committee’s recommendation saying that even a casual observer can tell the intersections are too busy.
The committee also recommended removing signs on the sidewalk that reduce its functional width.
The transportation committee will discuss the recommendation.