Councillor Shad Qadri says the northbound lane markings for the Huntmar-Maple Grove intersection will be painted in early May. City crews can’t paint them until temperatures are warm enough and the road has been swept.
This is becoming a textbook case of how slow bureaucracies can work sometimes. A brief chronology:
- August 13, 2015: Traffic lights at the intersection replace the previous 4-way stop. Within hours, motorists were already complaining about the lack of an advance turn signal.
- August 14, 2015: First traffic accident at the newly-signalized intersection.
- September, 2015: At the request of Councillor Qadri, City staff intiate a review of the intersection.
- December 2, 2015: Councillor Qadri conducts a survey asking residents to pick one of three options for the intersection.
- Late December, 2015: In his weekly newsletter, Councillor Qadri tells residents that the northbound lanes will be reconfigured, including a dedicated left turn lane, based on resident feedback. “I have requested staff undertake this work as soon as possible and am currently waiting for a timeline as to when this work can be completed,” he writes.
- March 14, 2016: City crews begin grinding down the existing painted lines heading northbound, and add temporary signage indicating a dedicated left-turn lane plus a shared straight/right lane.
Meanwhile, further south at Iber and Abbott, new lane markings were painted in the last few days. Qadri says that work was done by a private contractor, rather than city crews.
Here’s how one of our readers recently described the current situation at the intersection:
“Now that this change is in place, most people still drive through this intersection the old way!!!!! Drivers do not read the old signs. Just now, I had to cars ahead of me stop at the red light in the left lane and go straight through!!!!! The change has made it even more unsafe. The road needs to be painted at least. Something needs to be done. Almost every time I go through this intersection, I have at least one driver do it wrong.”
ALE RESTAURANT OPENS THIS WEEK
ALE, the new restaurant at the Amberwood golf club, opens this Friday. They’ve been holding private events with friends and family to get ready and will host a volunteer appreciation night for the Stittsville Minor Hockey Association on Thursday. If the weather warms up this weekend I bet their patio will be a very busy spot.
BROWN BEAR CONSOLIDATING TO CARP ROAD
Tamara Brown from Brown Bear Day Care says they’re planning to amalgamate their three facilities into one, closing their doors on Stittsville Main Street and expanding on Carp Road.
There’s already a “for lease / for sale” sign up on the yellow house on Stittsville Main. With a large municipal parking lot next door, it should be an attractive place for a small retail business or restaurant. It’s listed on Kijiji with rent at $3,000/month plus utilities for 1,450 square feet.
Across the street, Stittsville Picture Framing & Studio closes this Saturday after 27 years in business. Owner John Whitney is retiring at age 71.
VOLUNTEERS AND DONATIONS NEEDED FOR COMMUNITY GARDEN PROJECT
Nearly $200 has been raised so far to build four raised garden beds at the Carleton Apartments as part of a community gardening initiative. Organizer Logan Primeau says his goal is to raise $500 to build the beds out of cedar, which makes them resistant to insects and rot. He’s looking for cash donations, or donations of beer bottles to support the effort. Primeau is also looking for volunteers to help build the garden and tend to the plants. You can reach him at info@freefoodproject.ca
KANATA RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS GETS PLANNING COMMITTEE OK
The Kanata Rhythmic Gymnastics Club wants to build their own facility at 190 Michael Cowpland Drive in Kanata. They’re one step closer after planning committee approved a zoning change for the property that will allow a recreational facility. The change still has to be approved by City Council. The club currently practices out of several school gyms and community centres in the area.