‘Sustainable Solutions – Solutions Durables’ formed to press for a real cure for the downtown truck problem
On June 2 at Ottawa Transportation Committee, the NCC’s consultant will table a report on the Phase 2A consultation process which is moving towards the selection of a location for an east end bridge.
12 Community Associations have come together under the name “Sustainable Solutions” to sign a joint statement and will attend the meeting to make presentations to the committee regarding the common position they have adopted in response to the current process.
Please see the attached media advisory and a copy of the joint statement. Members of Sustainable Solutions will have at the meeting the signed versions of the joint statement.
Sustainable Solutions will be calling on the NCC, the MTO, and the City of Ottawa to clarify how the proposed project will deliver a solution to the problem of inter-provincial heavy through trucks on the streets of Ottawa. Details can be found in the attached joint statement.
Sustainable Solutions – Solutions Durables is composed of the following associations:
Action Sandy Hill
Manor Park Community Association
Rockcliffe Park Residents Association
New Edinburgh Community Association
Rockcliffe Mews/Carson Grove Community Association
Beacon Hill Community Association
Common Sense Crossings (Convent Glen Community Association)
City Centre Coalition
The Friends of the Greenspace Alliance
The Greenbelt Coalition
Queenswood Heights Community Association
Blackburn Hamlet Community Association
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Media Advisory: ‘Sustainable Solutions – Solutions Durables’ formed to press for a real cure for the downtown truck problem
OTTAWA, May 30, 2010 – Communities and organizations with an interest in the future of the National Capital Region have united to press the National Capital Commission (NCC), the Province of Ontario and the City of Ottawa to work with communities to find a solution to the ongoing problem of through-traffic of heavy trucks through Ottawa’s historic downtown area. This initiative is supported by prominent MPs, MPPs and City Councillors.
For decades, the heavy truck problem has plagued residents and businesses of the historic downtown. The problem is particularly acute along the King Edward-Rideau-Waller-Nicholas (KERWN) corridor. It has negatively impacted the livability and economic health of the district, and detracts seriously from the experience of visitors to the National Capital. Solving this problem should be a top priority of all levels of government.
The motivation for forming Sustainable Solutions – Solutions Durables has been the frustation felt by residents in having meaningful input into an NCC-led process focused on the narrow goal of constructing a new vehicular bridge across the Ottawa River. The NCC now proposes to study three potential bridge locations, ultimately selecting one that will be the subject of a federal environmental assessment.
One of the originally expressed goals of the NCC initiative was to substantially alleviate the downtown truck problem. However, the confusing information that has emanated from the process to date strongly suggests that a bridge would not solve the truck problem. Indeed, the figures presented indicate that the majority of trucks would continue to use the downtown corridor rather than a new bridge corridor. Information about the origins, destinations and purposes of the truck traffic across the Ottawa River is lacking, and the NCC has yet to initiate the commercial vehicle planning study that was requested by the NCC Board
The bridges under consideration would give rise to a host of very serious problems, such as urban sprawl; further community disruption on both sides of the river; loss of enjoyment of the NCC parkways and cycling paths in the east end; and serious impairment of ecologically significant areas (e.g. the NCC Greenbelt, Kettle Island, Greens Creek, McLaurin Bay). In spite of the virtually insurmountable problems associated with all three proposed bridge options, the NCC has shown little inclination to look seriously at options that would substantively address the pressing problem of heavy trucks in the downtown area.
On June 2, the consultants for the NCC will be presenting their Phase 2a study report to the City of Ottawa Transportation Committee. That report will outline their recommended study design and public consultation approach for Phase 2b, when the NCC proposes to select its preferred bridge option and conduct a federal environmental assessment of that option.
Members of Sustainable Solutions – Solutions Durables will be making representations to the Transportation Committee along with others affected by NCC proposals. Expect a lively and newsworthy discussion.
Contact:
Hugh Carter
Sustainable Solutions – Solutions Durables
Tel.: 613-830-3393
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Joint Statement (to be signed by all member Community Associations and presented to Transportation Committee)
The Interprovincial Crossings Study is led jointly by the National Capital Commission (NCC), the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and the Québec Ministry of Transportation, with technical support from the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau. The Study as currently envisaged is focused on selecting one out of three potential corridors for building a new bridge east of the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge.
One of the most critical issues facing the Region is the passage of about 2,500 heavy trucks per day between Highway 417 and the Macdonald – Cartier bridge, through residential streets in Ottawa’s downtown. The consequences in terms of health, safety and degradation of the surrounding areas are well-known and unacceptable. An environmentally sustainable solution must be found, one that does not simply spread the problem to even more neighbourhoods.
Phase 1 of the Study has recommended that heavy trucks be permitted on both the new corridor and the current approaches to the Macdonald – Cartier bridge, with the majority of the trucks remaining in the downtown core. The City of Ottawa Official Plan states that heavy trucks should be removed from the current King Edward, Rideau, Waller, Nicholas (KERWN) corridor once a new bridge is constructed. Meanwhile, the City of Gatineau has passed a motion that requests that heavy trucks remain on the King Edward corridor.
Significant uncertainty exists as to what will happen with heavy trucks if a new bridge is built. Will all heavy trucks be removed from Ottawa’s downtown? Will trucks be diffused between the new bridge and downtown? Will all heavy trucks be forced to use the new crossing? Who has the legal authority to ban heavy trucks on the KERWN corridor (since it serves as an interconnection between the Quebec and Ontario highway systems)? Would this decision be subject to legal appeal and potential negation?
Our organizations believe that these questions must be clearly answered in order to engage in meaningful public consultations in Phase 2B of the Study, and to enable a clear focus on the critical truck issue. We urge the Interprovincial Crossings Study Team to recognize the solidarity and determination of the public, as represented by our organizations, and to resolve this critical issue.
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Name and Position
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Organization
2nd June 2010
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