City proposes sweeping changes to cash-for-parks policy
Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, June 30, 2015

Councillors shouldn’t be allowed to put their names on plaques paid for with city money, says a report outlining sweeping changes to the city’s cash-for-parks policy. The proposed changes come months after the Citizen reported that River Coun. Riley Brockington had no money in his ward’s special account for park upgrades because his predecessor, Maria McRae, emptied the account in her final year in office, spending more than $600,000 in 2014. via City proposes sweeping changes to cash-for-parks policy | Ottawa Citizen.

Transitway extension from Bayshore to Moodie approved
Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, June 30, 2015

Despite objections from residents and community associations, the transportation committee has approved the construction of a level crossing at Holly Acres Road as part of the planned western extension of the Transitway to Moodie Drive. The revamped plans for extending the Transitway from Bayshore Shopping Centre to Moodie were largely driven a drop in the number of commuters expected to take the bus to the new Department of National Defence site on Moodie Drive. DND has nearly halved the number of employees it expects to house at the former Nortel campus, from 15,000 to about 8,500. via Transitway extension from Bayshore to Moodie approved | Ottawa Citizen.

Driving or cycling through Ottawa and Gatineau in July? Here’s what you need to know
Metro

By Steve Rennie, Ottawa Metro News, June 30, 2015

Motorists and cyclists in Ottawa and Gatineau will be under the microscope in July. Police forces in both cities will be cracking down on drivers who run red lights and focusing on cycling safety. They say there were 1,568 collisions involving cyclists – including 1,245 injuries and 15 deaths – between 2009 and 2013. via Driving or cycling through Ottawa and Gatineau in July? Here’s what you need to know | Metro.

Airport to pitch in for light rail link

By Emma Jackson, Ottawa Community News, June 29, 2015

Councillors around the finance committee table were downright delighted – and perhaps a bit surprised – when the Ottawa International Airport Authority’s CEO showed up with an offer to pitch in for a light rail link to the airport.

Mark Laroche told the committee on June 29 he is willing to invest about $35 million to install a transit station at the airport if the city goes ahead with the rail spur as part of its stage two light rail plans.

Summer forecast calls for more cool weather in July for Ontario, Quebec - Canada - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, June 30, 2015

Be patient, Ontario and Quebec, summer really is around the corner. It just depends on your definition of "around the corner." You might have to wait a little longer because Dave Phillips, Environment Canada's senior climatologist, says temperatures will be below average into July, with above average precipitation, too. via Summer forecast calls for more cool weather in July for Ontario, Quebec - Canada - CBC News.

City Hall Blog: Strategic Initiatives explained, part 8
Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, June 29, 2015

The transportation committee is the last standing committee to deal with its share of the so-called strategic initiatives. You’ll recall the city has $37 million set aside this year, and an additional $25 million each for 2016, 2017 and 2018. In all, there are 63 strategic priorities for the remainder of this term-of-council (between now and 2018). Some of the projects listed below appear to cost via City Hall Blog: Strategic Initiatives explained, part 8 | Ottawa Citizen.

Finance committee approves phase 2 LRT plan
Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, June 29, 2015

Ottawa’s international airport authority is prepared to pay for and build a light-rail stop inside its passenger terminal, the organization’s head said Monday, as the finance committee approved the $3-billion plan to extend LRT further east, west and south. “We are willing to put some skin in the game,” said chief executive Mark Laroche. via Finance committee approves phase 2 LRT plan | Ottawa Citizen.

Councillor launches website to track purchases by bike corral users
Metro

By Michael Woods, Ottawa Metro News, June 29, 2015

Are you leaving your bicycle at the bike corral in Hintonburg and spending money in the neighbourhood? If so, the local councillor wants to know about it. Kitchissippi ward Coun. Jeff Leiper has launched a new website, ibikeibuy.ca, to demonstrate the positive economic impact of more bike parking spaces. Leiper is asking people who park their bikes at the corral at Fairmont Avenue and Wellington Street to visit the website and input how much money they’ve spent. The idea, he said, is to show that “you can generate some significant economic impact by encouraging the replacement of some parking with bike parking. via Councillor launches website to track purchases by bike corral users | Metro.

Cycling safety and light rail: Five things to watch at Ottawa City Hall this week
Metro

By Lucy Scholey, Ottawa Metro News, June 28, 2015

Light rail transit on track? City staff will ask the finance committee to move full-steam ahead on the second phase of light rail transit – despite lack of confirmed federal or provincial funding on the project. If councillors give this project the thumbs-up, then city staff will invest $7 million into phase two, which will extend the now-under-construction first phase. via Cycling safety and light rail: Five things to watch at Ottawa City Hall this week | Metro.

580 CFRA News Talk Radio :: Commuters find mostly smooth ride despite Transitway closure :: News - Article

By Alison Sandor, CFRA News, June 29, 2015

Thousands of OC Transpo riders tested out their new ride to work Monday and found a mostly smooth trip on the way into the City from Orleans.

The Transitway between Blair and Hurdman was officially shuttered Sunday to allow light rail construction to proceed. Buses have been diverted to a new lane on Highway 417 between Nicholas and the Split.

Some 70,000 OC Transpo customers are affected by the Transitway closure - those testing it out for the first time Monday morning told CFRA they were pleasantly surprised.

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