LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY: Partial Byron closure creates more pedestrian space

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun, April 8, 2020

The number of pedestrians on a pathway between Byron Avenue and Richmond Road has been growing as the temperature rises and people escape for a bit of fresh air during the COVID-19 clampdown, prompting the local councillor to make more space for them on the road.

Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper said he has received the city’s blessing to restrict cars on Byron Avenue between Redwood and Golden Avenues to local traffic starting Thursday.

(...)Leiper said councillors will need to be creative if they want to increase walking space for residents in their communities, which is why he’s trying out the traffic restriction on Byron Avenue. If it works well, he’ll consider similar treatments in other areas of his ward.

Because city staff last month accepted direction from Watson that any costs for coronavirus-related street restrictions need to come out of councillor ward budgets, Leiper will have to pay for barricades with city funds set aside for traffic-calming activities in Kitchissippi ward.

https://ottawasun.com/news/local-news/councillor-gets-creative-with-local-only-traffic-to-create-more-pedestrian-space-during-physical-distancing/wcm/5d9efa1b-4d39-4cda-a931-4535fd4f902e

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