On Thursday, May 23, 2024, a report from staff will be brought to Transportation Committee recommending the city create cycling facilities on the Maitland Avenue Bridge over Highway 417.
The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) plans to replace the Maitland Avenue, Woodroffe Avenue, Pinecrest Road, and Richmond Road bridges over Highway 417. Currently none of these bridges or their connections have cycling infrastructure, making them incredibly dangerous for people on bicycles to cross over.
MTO has agreed to absorb the cost of pedestrian and cycling improvements on the bridge spans for Woodroffe Avenue, Pinecrest Road, and Richmond Road. To incorporate the new cycling facilities into the Maitland Avenue bridge replacement, MTO is requesting the city enter into a construction and maintenance agreement.
As staff state in the report: “Considering the City’s future plans for this corridor as a key cycling connection over
Highway 417 and recognizing that the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario’s (MTO) new bridge will have a lifespan of over 75 years, it is important to capitalize on this opportunity to provide cycling facilities across the Maitland Avenue bridge as part of its planned replacement.”
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I support, as I stated in my comment for the Report: Improving cycling and walking connections across the Highway 417 is crucial for creating a more sustainable and accessible transportation network in the west-end. The inclusion of new active transportation facilities on the Woodroffe, Pinecrest/Greenbank, and Richmond structures, at no cost to the City, demonstrates the commitment from the
MTO to enhance connectivity and promote alternative modes of transportation. I appreciate the ongoing cooperation of the provincial government in working with the City of Ottawa on these infrastructure plans.
The benefits of the providing infrastructure connectivity to the Maitland bridge will not only improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians but also contribute to the overall livability and vibrancy of the west-end. I appreciate the proactive approach taken by the City to address the limitations of the MTO’s project scope, and the commitment to advancing the design and construction of off-structure cycling connections, demonstrating a clear path forward towards achieving the city’s active transportation goals.
My office also received the following information from MTO regarding the bridge replacement project:
The Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO) has retained Morrison Hershfield and Jacobs Consultancy Canada to
complete the Detail Design and Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study for the replacement of 2 bridges on
Highway 417 located at Maitland Avenue and Woodroffe Avenue, in the City of Ottawa.
Implementation of the project will involve:
- Rapid demolition and replacement of the 2 underpass structures (bridges);
- Provisions for Active Transportation (AT) facilities across the structures;
- Repairs of deteriorated concrete on exposed surfaces of any retained elements, including rehabilitation of
the bridge abutments; - Replacement or rehabilitation of support facilities and features including grading, drainage, stormwater
management, illumination, signage, and the temporary relocation and protection of Advanced Traffic
Management Systems (ATMS), as required.
The project is following the approved planning process for Group B undertakings in accordance with the Class
Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities, 2000 and opportunity for public input will be
provided during the study. A virtual Public Information Centre (PIC) will be hosted on the project website
(www.417WestBridges.ca) to present and facilitate feedback on the proposed detail design(s) for each contract. A
Design and Construction Report (DCR) will also be prepared to document the detail design and EA study process.
The DCR (including a 5-year review of the Transportation Environmental Study Report) will be available for a 30-
day public review period. Additional notices will be published in local newspapers (Ottawa Citizen and Le Droit) at
that time to advertise where the documents are available for review.
The purpose of this letter is to inform you that the online Public Information Centre for the Maitland Ave. and
Woodroffe Ave. bridges will be held from May 22, 2024 to June 5, 2024 on the project website at
www.417WestBridges.ca. Information posted for review will provide an overview of the Project and the EA
process; a description of existing conditions; design details for the two bridges, proposed road closure and detour
plans, and anticipated impacts and mitigations measures.
Opportunity will be provided to submit feedback until June 5, 2024.
If you have any comments or questions at this time, please use the “Contact Us” function on the website or
contact one of the following project team members:
Lincoln MacDonald, P. Eng., PMP
Consultant Project Manager
Morrison Hershfield
Tel: 613-739-2910 ext. 1022279
Email: lmacdonald@morrisonhershfield.com
Ben Munroe, P. Eng.
Senior Project Engineer
Ministry of Transportation
Tel: 613-453-4843
Email: Ben.Munroe@ontario.ca
