Committee approves plan to fund cycling tracks on bridge over Highway 417

The Transportation Committee today approved entering into an agreement with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to build new cycling facilities on the Maitland Avenue bridge over Highway 417, as part of the bridge’s planned replacement in 2026. The Province is currently designing the new bridge, to which the City proposes adding cycling infrastructure to support Maitland Avenue as a key cycling connection over the highway, as outlined in the Transportation Master Plan. The City would pay up to $5.4 million to fund the design and construction of the cycling facilities, which would add a raised cycle track with a concrete buffer on each side of the bridge. The Province is responsible for all other costs associated with the new bridge. The Province also plans to replace Woodroffe Avenue, Pinecrest/Greenbank Road, and Richmond Road bridges over Highway 417 and has also agree to include new cycling facilities across these structures as well, at no additional cost to the City. The Committee also approved a series of minor amendments to the City’s Right of Way By-laws which regulates City-owned portions of land including roadways, shoulders, sidewalks, and boulevards beside your property. The proposed amendments are administrative in nature, addressing improvements the City has made to how it administers and enforces the by-laws, and some changes in processes. The amendments also clarify intent and expectations and improve consistency between the by-laws governing the right of way. The proposed amendments do not require public consultation, do not alter the intent of the by-laws, and do not alter the requirements for permission to work within the right of way. Items considered at this meeting will rise to Council on Wednesday, May 29. For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram.