The City of Ottawa has begun construction on the long-awaited Trillium multi-use pathway connecting the Ottawa River bike paths, through Little Italy, to Dow’s Lake and beyond.
Work on the pedestrian and cyclist-friendly route started on Sept. 9 and marks the beginning of the second phase of the Trillium Multi-Use Pathway project headed by the City in partnership with the National Capital Commission. The Trillium route is a 4.5-metre-wide strip of asphalt that runs to Carling Avenue.
“This pathway provides numerous benefits to the residents of Ottawa and tourists alike, and improves cycling and pedestrian facilities in the area,” says Carina Duclos, design and construction manager for the city’s west side. The first phase of construction finished in 2012 and saw a pathway built between the Ottawa River Pathway and Young Street at the north end of Little Italy.
After the first phase of construction was finished, the path between Young Street and Carling Avenue at the south end of Little Italy had remained unpaved, making it more challenging for cyclists biking through that area. The second phase of construction will complete the missing link with paved asphalt, making it safer and smoother for residents.
The pathway will be closed between Carling and Young until the construction is completed, but, according to Duclos, the work on the Trillium path will not impact the daily routines of the area’s residents. She says the pathway paving will be finished before the end of this year. Pedestrians and cyclists can still access the Hickory Street bridge and Adeline Street, which would otherwise be blocked by the construction.
Phase 2 of the Trillium pathway project will also implement lighting all along the pathway, a “cross-ride” for cyclists and a crosswalk for pedestrians at Carling Avenue, access to Adeline Street and a connection to the Hickory Street bridge, and a raised crossing at Beech Street, according to an online overview.
Michael Powell, president of the Dalhousie Community Association, says he has concerns about lost trees and noise levels during construction, but says he is still very excited about the highly anticipated completion of the Trillium pathway.
“I like to think of the Trillium path as a linear park,” says Powell, “adding much-needed green space through our neighbourhood and dramatically increasing the use of space along the O-train tracks.” He says he is especially looking forward to a safe crossing at Carling Avenue and the raised crossing at Beech Street because these measures should also calm the vehicular traffic in the area. Before, there was not a safe area to cross at the Carling intersection. Once the work is finished, pedestrians and cyclists will be able to cross with ease and new traffic lights should help with the flow of the vehicular traffic.
Alyson Queen, chair of communications with the Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association, echoes Powell’s approval of the pathway. She says she’s excited about the pathway because it will create a continuous route for pedestrians and cyclists throughout Ottawa.