Western Transitway extension moves to level crossings to cut costs
Ottawa Citizen

By Blair Crawford, Ottawa Citizen, June 12, 2015

Replacing bridges with level crossings and other modifications to the planned western extension of the Transitway to Moodie Drive will save the city $22 million, says Coun. Keith Egli, chairman of the city’s transportation committee. The revamped plans for the Transitway extension from Bayshore Mall to Moodie were driven by a drop in the number of commuters expected to take the bus to the new Department of National Defence site on Moodie Drive, Egli said. DND has nearly halved the number of employees it expects to house at the former Nortel campus. via Western Transitway extension moves to level crossings to cut costs | Ottawa Citizen.

The first spike: Confederation line track construction begins
Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, June 12, 2015

The clanging of sledgehammers on steel spikes rang out Friday as Mayor Jim Watson and area politicians helped lay the first section of track for the $2.1-billion Confederation line.

The short section of rail at the new Belfast Yard storage and maintenance facility will eventually be connected to the 12.5-kilometre line, which will run from Tunney’s Pasture in the west to Blair station in the east.

A bridge to name: Strathcona Park pedestrian crossing may open ahead of schedule
Ottawa Citizen

By Blair Crawford, Ottawa Citizen, June 12, 2015

Work on the pedestrian bridge spanning the Rideau River at Strathcona Park is ahead of schedule and the city is asking the public to suggest a suitable name for its new Overbrook-to-Sandy Hill link. Workers poured the concrete deck of the bridge last week and it now is being left to cure before railings and lights are added, says Coun. Mathieu Fleury. The approaches from the existing bicycle and walking paths must also be completed. Though the official opening date is still early 2016, if things keep going smoothly the bridge could be ready by late fall, he said. via A bridge to name: Strathcona Park pedestrian crossing may open ahead of schedule | Ottawa Citizen.

‘Troubling’ collision stats fuel new cycling-heavy truck safety campaign

By Erin McCracken, Ottawa Community News, June 11, 2015

Five. That’s how many cyclists have been killed in the last six collisions involving cyclists and heavy trucks between 2009 and 2013. “There were 1,568 (cycling-related) collisions, 1,245 injuries and 15 cyclists who have been killed (in the same timeframe),” said Mayor Jim Watson, who called the statistics “troubling.” via ‘Troubling’ collision stats fuel new cycling-heavy truck safety campaign.

Battle brewing over proposed Walkley-parkway off-ramp

By Erin MacCracken, Ottawa Community News, June 11, 2015

A proposed southbound off-ramp to Walkley Road from the Airport Parkway is back on the table, and is the reason why longtime Riverside Park resident Bob Laird is rallying his neighbours to oppose the plan. Laird, who has lived in his Walkley Road home between Bank Street and Riverside Drive since 1969, said the off-ramp will bring more traffic to the already congested area, a residential community he said is suffering from heavy rush-hour traffic, speeding and cut-through motorists. via Battle brewing over proposed Walkley-parkway off-ramp.

Angry red-winged blackbird attacks passersby on Parliament Hill - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, June 11, 2015

For yet another spring, a red-winged blackbird has been divebombing people as they walk by its nest on Parliament Hill. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD Male red-winged blackbirds screech at other males to protect their territory, and sometimes they'll attack people who come close to their nests. (AP Photo) The fun speculations abound. Maybe it's mad it wasn't chosen as the unofficial bird of Ottawa, or perhaps this is the bird's way of pushing for Senate reform? Maybe the Parliament Hill bird is hoping for this kind of CBC TV coverage. via Angry red-winged blackbird attacks passersby on Parliament Hill - Ottawa - CBC News.

New Queensway bridge will have room for O-Train path

By Steph Willems, Ottawa Community News, June 10, 2015

When the bridge that carries Highway 417 over the O-Train trench is replaced, the possibility of a second multi-use pathway will remain.

Many in the area had worried the project - part of the Ministry of Transportation’s planned rehabilitation of downtown Queensway bridges – would put an end to a long-sought, west-side O-Train pathway.

Deer tranquillized after crashing through Kanata South home
Ottawa Citizen

By Anais Voski, Ottawa Citizen, June 10, 2015

“It sounded like the whole house was coming down,” Brinda Dicerni said after a deer burst through her front window Wednesday morning, trashed the living room, then escaped out an open window. The deer, which police said likely came from a forest near the Abbeyhill Drive home, collided with a car on Balbair Road as it fled to the softball field beside the Jack Charron Arena. There, Ottawa police officers, NCC conservation offic via Deer tranquillized after crashing through Kanata South home | Ottawa Citizen.

Councillors question planning concierge program to benefit 20 ‘major’ developers
Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, June 9, 2015

The largest development companies in Ottawa are the ones set to benefit from a new initiative that will provide concierge service within the planning department, a council committee learned Tuesday. Lee Ann Snedden, the acting head of development review services, told the planning committee the six-month pilot program will match 20 so-called client relationship leaders (CRLs) with “our major development firms” on the residential and commercial side. via Councillors question planning concierge program to benefit 20 ‘major’ developers | Ottawa Citizen.
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