Steady streams of cars whip down the cracked pavement, dancing around the faded lines on the concrete. On the edge of the road, pedestrians walk two by two on the sidewalk, taking care to avoid the deep cracks and squeezing into single file where a hydro pole takes up more than half the path. The cyclists have either chosen a different route or stayed home entirely.
This is O’Connor and Argyle streets at 5 p.m. on a weeknight.
Changes to O’Connor, Argyle, and a list of other Centretown streets are on the way, promised Somerset Coun. Diane Holmes, at a workshop hosted by Ecology Ottawa on March 26. Four other city councillors were also there to support the “complete streets” initiative, which aims to make roads more accessible to pedestrians and cyclists, plans to widen sidewalks, add separated bike lanes, and add more public transit routes are underway.
City council unanimously passed a Transportation Master Plan in November 2013, which included a commitment to building complete streets across the city.
While Centretown boasts two complete streets already – Preston Street and Somerset Street in Chinatown – Holmes admitted that the recent Bank street development fell short of the complete streets standard.
“Businesses weren’t engaged, and we didn’t have many people coming to give their input,” said Holmes. “Bank Street is still a problem for the cyclists, especially because of the busses,”
The end goal of the complete streets project isn’t just increased safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Ideally, a complete street would help encourage motorists to choose another form of transport, which could lead to less traffic. Cutting back on cars on the road leads to fewer greenhouse gas emissions, more active citizens, and a generally healthier population, Capital Coun. David Chernushenko told the audience.
“Our conclusion in looking at this issue, is that it isn’t just about bikes, it isn’t just about walking, it’s about choice,” said Chernushenko.
One of the challenges that the city faces is the sheer number of streets that need updating. A 2013 report identified 16 streets in Centretown alone that were in need of updates. But, as Holmes pointed out, major overhauls to streets only happen when the sewer or water lines also need replacing.
“We only build when the water and sewer is falling apart. That’s what drives those reconstruction projects,” said Holmes. “There’s no concerted effort to say ‘here are ten streets that will be complete streets this year.’”
An update to O’Connor Street would be the first complete-street overhaul that wasn’t attached to updates to the water and sewer system. Instead, the project is considered part of the larger downtown update planned around the upcoming light rail transit system. Though the O’Connor Street update is still in the design stages, Holmes said more residents and businesses need to be involved in the consultation process.
“We need more loud, annoyed pedestrians, we need more loud, annoyed cyclists” said Holmes.