(EDITOR’S NOTE: Besides running StittsvilleCentral.ca, I’m also president of the Fairwinds Community Association. CBC reported today on an issue that we’ve been pursuing around pedestrian safety on the Huntmar bridge. The bridge has been deemed too narrow for pedestrians to cross safely, and there’s no plan to widen it until 2026. We wrote a letter to councillors last month with a simple, inexpensive solution: make the bridge one-way for cars. That’s where CBC picked up the story. -GG.)
Residents who live near the Tanger Outlets mall and the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa are calling for better pedestrian access across Highway 417.
The Huntmar Drive overpass connects the two Kanata landmarks but it was designed and built before thousands of people moved into homes nearby.
The narrow thoroughfare lacks sidewalks and is dangerous to bike across, said Joe Boughner of the Fairwinds Community Association.
“[It] was never designed with pedestrian or cycle traffic in mind,” said Boughner, whose group wants the city to convert part of the overpass to alternating one-way traffic.
Kanata residents see danger with overpass between @CdnTireCtr and @TangerOttawa: http://t.co/33USVhECxd #ottnews pic.twitter.com/f0528kGHgv
— CBC Ottawa (@CBCOttawa) July 16, 2015
Vlad Prikhodko walks over Huntmar Bridge to get to/from work south of 417. He'd like a sidewalk. @OttawaMorning pic.twitter.com/kJUcU2CiRq
— Hallie Cotnam (@HallieCBC) July 16, 2015
CTC on one side. Tanger outlets on the other. But the Huntmar overpass isn't designed for walking/biking. #cbcott pic.twitter.com/CcrynOyuRl
— Andrew Foote (@amkfoote) July 16, 2015
Can't expand Huntmar overpass (weight). @FairwindsCA proposes alternating, construction style 1 way lane for cars & walk/bike lane. #cbcott
— Andrew Foote (@amkfoote) July 16, 2015
.@FairwindsCA ideas before city staff, says @ShadQadri. Right now looking at new overpass when Huntmar expands in 2026-31 window. #cbcott
— Andrew Foote (@amkfoote) July 16, 2015
Ottawans want walkable communities & pedestrian safety all across #Ottawa ! #completestreets #ottwalk #ottpoli https://t.co/at1CegDrGN
— Ecology Ottawa (@EcologyOttawa) July 16, 2015
https://twitter.com/modalmom/status/621637151915118592
How should we balance pedestrian safety vs. hockey fan convenience? https://t.co/5UJ2UAm8An
— Fairwinds Community (@FairwindsCA) July 16, 2015
There is an overpass planned – but again very long term, still many years away. https://t.co/wCpHsdBd8L
— Fairwinds Community (@FairwindsCA) July 16, 2015