Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

Airport Parkway widening postponed until 2020 or later

Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, January 10, 2016

Drivers who are fed up with bumper-to-bumper traffic on the Airport Parkway are just going to have to suck it up because the cash-strapped city has delayed plans for widening the road until at least 2020.

An environmental assessment for widening the two-lane arterial between Brookfield Road and the airport is underway, and the first stretch, between Brookfield and Hunt Club Road, was to be completed by 2018, at an estimated cost of $31 million. But that target has now been pushed back for at least several years — and perhaps even longer.

Bank Street lane reductions begin Monday

Ottawa Citizen

By Meghan Hurley, Ottawa Citizen, January 11, 2016

Bank Street will be reduced to one lane in each direction near Lansdowne Park, between Holmwood Avenue and Exhibition Way for Hydro Ottawa construction.

The lane closure will be in effect from Monday until Jan. 22, the city said in a statement.

Ottawa Public Health seeks public input on expanding non-smoking bylaws

Ottawa Citizen

By Joanne Laucius, Ottawa Citizen, January 11, 2016

Ottawa Public Health is looking for public feedback on expanding non-smoking bylaws to include water pipes and e-cigarettes in public places and workplaces.

On Nov. 25, city council asked staff to consult with stakeholders about regulating the use of e-cigarettes and “non-combustible substances” such as water pipes or hookahs.

Owning vs. sharing: how car habits are changing - Technology & Science - CBC News

By Thomas Daigle, CBC News Ottawa, January 9, 2016

The recent $500 million US investment by General Motors in ride-hailing app Lyft points to a shift in attitudes surrounding car ownership, some users of car-sharing services say.

It's "a huge signal to the industry [that] car purchasing among millenials is dropping," said Nick Salter, 32, a member of Montreal's Communauto, the oldest car-sharing service in Canada, established in 1994.

‘Lucky’ the oriole loses toe, but survives wintry brush with death

Ottawa Citizen

By Tom Spears, Ottawa Citizen, January 8, 2016

Lucky the wandering Bullock’s oriole lost one toe and nearly froze to death, but she is gaining strength in a warm shelter where she will spend the winter.

A Bullock’s oriole shouldn’t be anywhere near Eastern Ontario. It’s native to western North America, but this young female somehow migrated east instead of south this fall.

Residents asked to help clear on-street catch basins

By Stittsville Central, January 8, 2016

Environment Canada is predicting a mix of weather this weekend that may pose challenges for residents.

The City of Ottawa is encouraging residents to visit the Winter Weather webpage on ottawa.ca for information on the weather, including updates on City operations and tips on what residents can do in preparation for, and during, weather incidents.

Trinity scales back proposed Chapel Street towers again

By Alex Robinson, Ottawa Community News, January 8, 2016

A developer has scaled back the height of two proposed highrise towers in Lowertown for a second time.

(...)

Rideau-Vanier Coun. Mathieu Fleury said the new plan conforms to the parameters laid out in the new Uptown Rideau Community Design Plan (CDP) – a planning document that was finalized this fall that recommends heights and densities developers should build to.

Ont. ski hills battle rain, warmth as El Nino persists

CTV News

By Graham Slaughter, CTV News Ottawa, January 8, 2016

An unseasonably warm winter has created poor skiing conditions across Ontario as many ski resorts struggle to keep snow on the slopes.

Several Ontario hills have set new records this year for the latest opening dates on record. If the weather conditions persist, 2015-2016 could be a historically short ski season in the region.

Smog city: Warning issued for Gatineau

Ottawa & Region

News

Ottawa Sun

By Dani-elle Dubé, Ottawa Sun, January 8, 2016

Environment Canada has issued a smog warning for Gatineau this morning.

The weather agency says the warning could last through noon.

The air quality may be deteriorating because of the atmospheric conditions, an advisory says.

Ottawa's core could support more grocery stores: study

Ottawa & Region

News

By Dani-elle Dubé, Ottawa Sun, January 8, 2016

Many choose to live in Ottawa’s core because everything is at their fingertips — public transportation and work are just steps away from their home.

But one important, and perhaps obvious aspect of convenient inner city living is missing: grocery stores.

At least that’s what one University of Alberta study has found after exploring the accessibility of grocery stores across Canada.

King Edward truck-tunnel study expected soon

Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, January 8, 2016

A long-awaited study on the feasibility of building a truck tunnel beneath King Edward Avenue is expected in weeks, but a permanent fix for one of Ottawa’s worst traffic headaches could still be years away.

Engineering consulting firm Parsons was hired in August 2014 to conduct the study, which is now in the hands of city transportation planners, according to Rideau-Vanier Coun. Mathieu Fleury.

Sewer work expected to delay Scott Street traffic

Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, January 7, 2016

Sewer work on Scott Street is expected to cause some traffic disruptions between Merton Street and Bayview Road.

Scott will be reduced to one lane in each direction as of Jan. 11 at 5 p.m. There will also be no access to Scott from Garland Street as of Monday. The multi-use pathway along the north side of Scott Street at Merton Street will be reduced to one lane, starting Friday.