Good evening, Kitchissippi. This evening a story ran in the Ottawa Citizen about the traffic pole that is – for the moment – smack dab in the middle of the new cycle track. This was a Reddit discussion this weekend and today we confirmed that the configuration is temporary, and it will be moved next week. The cycle track is not open. I fully understand that cyclists are using it (I do myself), but they are riding something that’s not finished yet. Riding on Scott is challenging through this construction, and I was unsuccessful at getting the City to agree to lane closures to provide a safer detour.
The full staff response to the reporter’s inquiry is as follows:
“The cycle tracks along the north and south side of Scott Street are under construction and are currently closed. Appropriate closure signage is in place, and will remain in place until the cycle track construction is complete.
Construction at this intersection includes new sidewalks and cycle tracks, as well as new traffic signals. During construction, temporary traffic signals are necessary to maintain the function of signalized intersections. As such, temporary traffic signals were placed within the closed cycle track to allow for the remainder of the intersection to be constructed. Staff are scheduled to remove the temporary traffic signal pole next week and install signal poles in their final locations which will not be located in the cycle track.
The cycle track and crossrides will remain closed until all work has been completed. Appropriate closure signage will also remain in place until work is complete.”
Staff did not apparently reply to the reporter by her deadline, and I was only able to respond late in the day.
I’m excited for the new cycling infrastructure and appreciate everyone’s patience.