A staff recommendation to approve the environmental assessment for the crossing is being tabled at the city’s transportation committee meeting.
You can read the recommendation here.
City staff looked at seven different locations for the bridge and have come down in favour of a crossing from Donald St. in Overbrook to Somerset St. E in Sandy Hill.
Cyclists travelling into town from Overbrook would be able to continue along Somerset to the University of Ottawa and — via a section where they are supposed to dismount — onto the Corktown footbridge over the Rideau Canal. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your opinion on segregated bike lanes) the bike lane route along Somerset was shot down by business interests, but it could still be quite a convenient way for cyclists to cross the city.
Assuming the committee and then council approve the recommendation, there is money set aside in the 2012 budget to actually design the bridge, but it’s anybody’s guess as to when — if ever — is gets built.
I’m looking forward to this bridge. It should be a great addition to the neighbourhood. I think it is great that the city is moving ahead with these pedestrian/cyclist facilities. I look forward to the canal crossing at Fifth Ave. as well.
One small note the pedestrian tunnel at Colonel By and Somerset is now striped to allow cyclists to ride through.
Any word on when this might actually be built? I’m looking at buying in the area and this would make a big difference!