Marianne Wilkinson Councillor, Kanata North Transportation Issues
Last Wednesday there were meetings of the Transportation Committee followed by a joint Transportation-Transit Committee to review the Mayor's Task Force Report and then by a Transit Committee. Sitting on all three Committees met meeting from 9:30 am until 8:20 pm with a 20 minute lunch break. At each Committee there were major issues affecting Kanata. The Transportation Committee dealt with the terms of reference for future bridges over the Ottawa River. It was indicated that a location should be determined for both the east and west ends of the City. The Committee recommended that the Kettle Island location in the east end be the preferred location. In the west all three proposed locations create serious problems - with any bridge crossing the widest parts of the Ottawa River, disrupting either Andrew Haydon Park, the Nepean Sailing Club or the Kanata Sailing Club/Camp Y as well as boating activities on the river. The Committee, on motions from Councillor Cullen and myself recommended that none of these locations be considered. My motion included a request to consider a tunnel alternative or a location closer to the urban core. We also suggested increasing transit use possibly by using the existing railway bridge at Bayview as recommended by the Mayor's Task Force. The bridge study will take about two years and will include further public consultation in the fall. The Mayor's Task force was received and staff directed to provide information on costs and requirements to deal with the suggested rail routes. I moved a motion for staff to detail how to restart the environmental assessments (put on hold pending receipt of this report), to undertake the study of a possible downtown tunnel and to update on the transitway study from Woodroffe to Pinecrest. Staff will report on these on August 15th when we'll also be dealing with the immediate and term of Council recommendations from the Task Force. My motion to include the extension of the Transitway from Terry Fox to Fernbank, including service to Scotiabank Place, was approved. I will be pushing to get things started so that improvements using both the transitway and rail will start sooner rather than having major delays. At the Transit Committee there was a major debate on moving to using buses that had fewer emissions of both greenhouse gases and particulates. The Committee approved a motion I put forward to provide additional information prior to making a major purchase of 225 buses. It was agreed that 3 double decker buses be purchased and subjected to major trials before considering adding large numbers to the fleet. These buses have more seats making them preferable for express runs where we now have many standing, provided the trials show they'll work well in our climate.
All of the recommendations need to now be approved at a full Council meeting. On July 4th the Goulbourn Forced Road plan is finally scheduled to come to Committee. Once an alignment is approved the first stage will need to have detailed working drawings prepared and tenders called. It is anticipated that construction will start early in 2008.
Strategic Directions Public Hearings
Your views matter to me. I'd appreciate hearing your take on the objectives that Council has prepared for this term of Council. These are in a paper entitled Council's Strategic Directions that is available at ottawa.ca or at libraries and client service centres. You can make a presentation to the full Council on July 9th by registering by email to specialmeeting@ottawa.ca or by phone to 613-580-2424 extension 28136. Each presenter has 5 minutes to present their views. Written submissions are also welcomed. As this will go to Council on July 11th I'd appreciate receiving your comments as soon as possible so that I can prepare amendments to the document. I regret that these meetings are in July. I had asked early in the process that the public meeting be before the end of June but with the report only available on June 22nd this wasn't possible. You will get another opportunity to comment in the fall once the financial analysis and recommendations are prepared.
Canada Day in Kanata
Canada Day in Kanata will be celebrated on June 30th and July 1st with a great concert and fireworks display the evening of July 1st. There will be lots of activities for kids all day on the 1st, a midway both days, concerts both days and plenty of food concessions. Stage performances start at 1:00 pm on the 30th and noon on the 1st. An ecumenical church service is at 10:00 am on the 1st. Events other than the midway and food are free. The location, at Walter Baker Park off Terry Fox near Hazeldean Road is ideal for families as there are lots of places for children to run around safely. The toboggan hill is a great pace for listening to the concert and watching the fireworks. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy. For details go to www.canadadayinkanata.com. Many thanks to the volunteers who organize and run this wonderful event.
Coming Events
July 1st, Canada Day in Kanata at Walter Baker Park, Terry Fox and Hazeldean Watch for the 1st Annual Kanata North Picnic coming soon
Working for the residents and businesses in Kanata North
To receive the Kanata North Newsletter, to deal with a concern or make a suggestion contact my staff at City Hall at 613-580-2474 or by email Marianne.Wilkinson@ottawa.ca or through www.mariannewilkinson.com
