Rideau Street could still see construction on Canada Day
Rideau Street re-opening to buses and taxis by Dec. 16, part of city's update on winter construction
At least one downtown road may not be as picture-perfect as the city had hoped on Canada Day, as light-rail project construction delays caused by the Rideau Street sinkhole may result in above-ground hoarding and machinery marring the major thoroughfare.
Street-level work on the LRT was supposed to be finished in the downtown core by June 2017, in time for the major events planned to celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary. But, according to the city's rail office director Steve Cripps, light-rail workers may still be installing vent shafts on Rideau come July 1.
That'll mean instead of being pristine for tourists, visitors to Rideau Street, between Sussex Avenue and Dalhousie Street, could see hoarding and drilling equipment. The work might also result in lane reductions.
The potential construction on Rideau is the latest fallout from the sinkhole that opened up in June.
The tunnel was supposed to be completely excavated by late summer; now, the last 20 metres aren't expected to be dug out until late December or early January.
And a report on what caused the sinkhole is still expected to be released before the year's out.
But there is some good news: following months of partial and full closures — Rideau Street will reopen to all OC Transpo buses and taxis by Dec. 16. And slow-speed test-runs of some LRT trains are scheduled to begin this week between Blair and Cyrville stations.
The Rideau news came as part of the city's seasonal update on construction for the coming months.
Commute could get easier
If you don't count traffic delays due to snow storms, the winter commute could get a bit easier because the city is reducing the number of construction projects in coming months, said Alain Gonthier, a manager with the city's infrastructure services.
Five projects, mostly those to replace watermains, will be put on hold for the winter. However, 15 projects will continue through the winter, including the Arts Court redevelopment; the transitway extension from Bayshore to Moodie Drive; and excavation for the combined sewage storage tunnel.
Although Arts Court will remain open during construction, there will be occasional road closures and the west Waller Street sidewalk will be closed between Daly Avenue and Mackenzie Avenue.
The west transitway work will impede truck traffic intermittently on Holly Acres and Corkstown roads. And some of the sewage tunnel work in New Edinburgh will result in the intersection of Queen Victoria Street and River Lane being closed for a year.
Eastbound traffic Queen Street will be opened between Bay and Lyon streets next week, and the road will continue to be streetscaped over the coming months.
Transit changes after holidays
New OC Transpo fares go into effect on Jan.1, including the cancellation of express routes. Express pass holders who have signed up for an automatic deduction plan through Presto will have to change their pass before the New Year — riders will be reminded of this by email.
Current express routes will get a new moniker: the 200-series "Connextion" routes. They'll continue to serve downtown until 2018, and after the LRT opens, they'll connect rides to a light-rail station. Some west-end Connextion routes will skip some transit stations during the afternoon commute.
There will also be changes to these current routes starting Jan. 1: 5, 93, 120, 130, 181 and 201-205.
The Innovation park-and-ride station in Kanata North will open on Dec. 25.