By Dale Boire, Ottawa Citizen Letter to the Editor, April 27, 2018
Sunny days for the LRT?
Re: LRT’s just the ticket, April 25.
With the official opening of light rail now about seven months away, there will hopefully be time to ensure it creates a positive first impression. While it may not be unusual for major projects to need a few post-opening tweaks, all we can do is hope that the late November date is not accompanied by an early arrival of winter weather.
The City of Gatineau has issued a preventative boil water advisory following a water main break on Friday morning, affecting nearly 12,000 households.
The advisory was issued for the areas east of Montée Paiement; west of Cheval-Blanc Avenue; south of the La Vérendrye Boulevard; and north of the Ottawa River.
By CBC News Ottawa, April 27, 2018
The city will get more time to respond to an order to reopen the Prince of Wales Bridge to rail traffic.
Earlier this year, the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) ordered the city to take the steps so the bridge could be put into service within 12 months or to go through the formal process of discontinuing the line, which includes putting the bridge up for sale.
The city had until this coming Monday to respond.There are no city plans for the bridge in the short term, but in the long term it has talked about using the bridge to set up a rail link to Gatineau.
By Josh Pringle, CTV News Ottawa, April 25, 2018
Heavy rain in the forecast today and Thursday has all eyes shifting to area waterways.
Water levels are expected to rise across the Rideau River watersheld because of heavy rain, mild temperatures and melting snow this week.
The Rideau River Conservation Authority says the 20 to 30 mm of rain in the forecast, in combination with the melt runoff, can be expected to cause water levels to rise.
Flooding is not expected along the Rideau River, but the levels of the Bobs and Christie Lakes are being monitored by Parks Canada. The Conservation Authority says there could be access issues in the low-lying communities on the Long Reach of the Rideau between Kars and Kemptville.
By CBC News Ottawa, April 25, 2018
Some areas of the Gatineau Hospital have resorted to using bottled water because tap water was running slightly brown Wednesday.
Patricia Rhéaume, a spokesperson for the regional health authority, said the brown water is still potable and doesn't pose a health risk.
The brown water was discovered early Wednesday morning. Bottled water was distributed as a precaution, Rhéaume said.
By Jon Willing, Ottawa Citizen, April 25, 2018
An 11-kilometre light-rail extension through Kanata, from Moodie Drive to Hazeldean Road, would cost $1.85 billion, a new report says.
The report published Wednesday reveals the results of the Kanata LRT environmental assessment. It confirms that the preferred route would see westbound trains leaving Moodie station travelling on tracks on the north side of Highway 417, crossing the highway to the Canadian Tire Centre and continuing south to a terminus at Hazeldean Road. It means LRT could serve the growing Stittsville area.
There are eight stations and four park and rides in the Kanata LRT three-phase blueprint. According to the city, the rail extension would bring 90 per cent of Kanata residents within five kilometres of rail, and 80 per cent of all Ottawa residents would be within five kilometres of rail. A pedestrian bridge over the highway would connect the park-and-ride at Eagleson Road to an LRT station on the north side of the highway.
By Bruce Deachman, Ottawa Citizen, April 25, 2018
If the arrival this year of light rail transit announces that Ottawa has finally reached the status of a full-fledged city, it’s funny how its trains can turn otherwise full-grown men into little boys.
“I couldn’t sleep last night,” admitted an excited Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson as he readied to board a car Wednesday for the first “civilian” test-run of the system.
“I’ve been down in the tunnel a couple of times and I’ve tried the simulator, but this is my first time actually riding the LRT.
By Saif Kasar, 1310 News Ottawa, April 25, 2018
The city is reaching out to businesses and stakeholders on Montreal Rd., to ask for their input on developing a plan to spark economic growth in Vanier.
"Community Improvement Plans attract new businesses, revitalize existing businesses and stimulate economic growth" said Mayor Jim Watson. "This CIP will help diversify the Montreal Road business mix and will generate much needed investments and jobs in Vanier."
City staff are expected to create a plan to present to City Council in the coming weeks. If approved, the plan would unfold alongside current plans to renew Montreal Road's infrastructure in 2019.
The Community Improvement Plan would include new bike lanes being installed above the curb, beside the sidewalk, as well as incentives for property owners to redevelop their properties.
Trevor Haché, Vice-President of Healthy Transportation Coalition Ottawa, told the Rick Gibbon's Show on 1310NEWS that he believe the businesess along Montreal Rd. would benefit from the proposed plans.
By CanadianManufacturing.com, April 24, 2018
OTTAWA—On April 24, Hydro Ottawa announced a partnership with Canada’s largest electric vehicle charging network provider, FLO, to pilot 100 level two charging stations with residential customers in Ottawa.
The pilot project will be rolled out in the coming months, and Hydro Ottawa says it is intended to help the utility understand residential EV demands on the electricity grid.
“As Ottawa’s local electricity provider we are in a unique position to help accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in Ottawa. This pilot project with FLO will allow us to learn the impacts of EVs and charging stations on our electricity grid; helping us pave the way to better support electric vehicles in Ottawa,” said Bryce Conrad, CEO and president, Hydro Ottawa.
By the Canadian Press, City News, April 23, 2018
HALIFAX – Nova Scotia’s capital is considering restricting flyer and ad mail delivery, potentially joining other Canadian cities that give residents the option of vetoing the uninvited paper clogging up their recycling bins.
Halifax councillors will discuss a proposed bylaw Tuesday that would prohibit distributors from delivering flyers and ad mail to homes displaying a “No Flyers” sign.
(...)Similar bylaws restricting flyer delivery have been passed in other cities including Calgary, Ottawa and Montreal.
By StittsvilleCentral, April 23, 2018
On Friday, the Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust (MMLT) honoured Carolyn Canfield for her generous donation of the 15.7 acre Whaleback Woodland Reserve in the Carp Hills in West Carleton.
Carolyn gave a passionate speech about the importance of preserving our biodiversity and letting the land evolve naturally. In the photo Carolyn is standing in front of the largest whaleback formation on the property. The Friends of the Carp Hills will assist MMLT by providing stewardship and oversight of the Reserve. You can read more about the Whaleback Woodland Reserve here…
By CTV News Ottawa, April 24, 2018
The first support beam for the new Rideau Canal Crossing at Clegg St. and Fifth Ave. has been put in place.
For many people in the area it is a positive sign that the new pedestrian and cycling bridge is one step closer to completion.
But for the homeowners on Echo Dr. who will face the bridge – it has ruined their views and sense of privacy.
“Essentially people get to walk along here and look into our houses,” said Margaret Vant Erve.