Centretown residents, organizations and community associations are expressing their frustration after city officials unveiled their plan for the reconstruction of Bronson Avenue, with many saying the plan doesn’t address the safety of pedestrians.
At a public meeting at the end of November, many residents conveyed their disappointment with the plan to widen Bronson by 0.6 metres.
“It’s basically oriented solely for the benefit of rush hour commuters,” says Eric Darwin, president of the Dalhousie Community Association. “It doesn’t do much for pedestrians, or bicyclists, or transit users, or people who live along the street . . . or businesses along the street.”
For pedestrians, the plan includes an increase of sidewalk width to two metres, coloured concrete crosswalks at major intersections, reduced crossing distances, pedestrian level lighting, greenery, and street furnishings. Bike racks will also be provided for cyclists.
The plan notes that there are limited opportunities on Bronson for cycling lanes, as it is a constrained area.
“I really felt that the safety concerns weren’t addressed,” says Lana Stewart, a Centretown resident. “The renewal project really focuses on cosmetic improvement, and not at all on the safety improvements, which is pretty much the biggest concern of residents in Centretown.”
Meg McCallum, of the Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corp., agrees, saying that Bronson is a difficult street to cross safely, making it a barrier between Centretown and west Centretown.
“You really feel trapped along that street,” she says, noting that the previous widening of Bronson in the 1950s took up a lot of the front yard space on the street.
One suggestion the city considered was reducing the lanes on Bronson from four to three. A feasibility analysis done by the city found that a lane reduction on Bronson “indicated significant loss of arterial road performance,” meaning that it would take longer for vehicles to leave and enter downtown. There was also the concern of traffic diverting onto local streets. Transit and emergency services would also be impacted.
“When this Bronson project started we thought we would see . . . improvements. And instead the consultants have said things like 95 per cent of the project is underground . . . so we’re not spending too much time thinking about it,” says McCallum.
The underground facilities, including the sewage pipes and water main, on Bronson date back to the 1870s. They need replacing, which is the primary purpose of the Bronson reconstruction. The local water main will be upgraded and an improved drainage network installed.
“But at the end of the day, we all have to live on the surface. So we want safer streets, we want a better pedestrian experience, we want cars that go slower when they’re going through the community,” says McCallum.
“There’s nothing in the landscape to indicate to them that they’re driving through a community.”
Somerset Coun. Diane Holmes advised those opposed to the plan to contact Mayor Jim Watson with their comments.
The deadline for residents to submit their comments to the project’s city staff was Dec. 1 – one week after the public open house was held.
Darwin says his association will continue to fight the project.
“We’re escalating. We’re complaining to the mayor,” he says. “We’re just going to keep pushing it further.”
The next open house regarding Bronson will be held early next year. At that meeting, city officials will outline the detours, local access, and work schedule.