Inland tunnel: A viable alternative to a new bridge
The City Centre Coalition (CCC) represents 9 community associations toward the centre of Ottawa as well as Citizens for Safe Cycling and the Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA). It has a focus on community-friendly, environment-friendly solutions to transportation issues in Ottawa and across the Ottawa River. CCC advocates a significant shift in investment away from road building and toward public transit especially light rail rapid transit as well proper facilities for walking and bicycling.
The following are excerpts from a presentation made by Derek Reid, the chairman of the City Centre Coalition (CCC), to the NCC on June 18th:
Currently, the City of Ottawa, the City of Gatineau and the NCC are allocating a lot of money for projects to fix transportation problems in the region. However, these parties are not acting in an integrated cohesive manner with a unified sustainable vision for the region.
The presentation I will make is meant to illustrate what is possible if all parties were to re-examine their plans, and pool their efforts into an integrated visionary solution.
This presentation is not about its details, but about the NCC taking a leadership role to inspire a sustainable integrated regional vision.
On the topic of a new east end bridge, his presentation states the following:
The NCC is considering a new $400M east-end bridge. The result would be an expanded road network, and the reduction of the quality of life for those who happen to be near the new route. It would impact the surrounding environment, and create more pollution from thousands of trucks per day that would be forced to travel further to cross the river. It would not restore King Edward as a beautiful avenue friendly to green transportation modes.
A better solution for King Edward Avenue has been studied by the City of Ottawa. A $190M inland tunnel could link the Mac Donald-Cartier Bridge with the Queensway via Nicholas. This option could significantly improve conditions along King Edward avenue — currently a depressing gateway to Ottawa.
The option of an inland tunnel link needs to be assessed by the NCC as a fourth option for an inter-provincial corridor, and as an alternative to a new bridge.
Click here to see Derek’s full presentation and transit vision.
Key Gray also comments on Derek’s presentation here:
http://communities.canada.com/ottawacitizen/blogs/bulldog/archive/2009/06/25/the-making-of-modern-ottawa-1.aspx
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