Latest news with #CityofOttawa
CTV News
4 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Heron Road closure causing headaches for drivers and businesses in Alta Vista
Heron Road is closed between Bank Street and Alta Vista Drive this summer for construction. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa) A major road closure in Ottawa's Alta Vista neighbourhood is already causing headaches for drivers and small business owners. As of Sunday, Heron Road is closed between Bank Street and Alta Vista Drive as part of the Bank Street Renewal Project. On day three of the road closure, Alta Vista resident Heather Ingrams says she has had enough. Construction Construction crews are working on the Bank Street Renewal Project, with work underway on Bank Street and Heron Road. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa) 'This is way too much construction. I'm sorry,' said Ingrams. She says more traffic, and more drivers speeding through her area has made it unsafe. 'It would be nice if we had Bylaw officers or a few cops lying in wait. Yeah, it's a mess,' she said. The closure affects the section of Heron Road between Bank Street and Alta Vista, where sewer and watermain work is underway. Motorists will be detoured to Walkley Road and Heron Road, east of Alta Vista. Ottawa construction The City of Ottawa shows the proposed detour around the Heron Road construction project this summer. (City of Ottawa/release) The councillor for the area says she is aware of the complaints about traffic congestion in the nearby residential neighbourhood and is addressing them. 'Staff have been very responsive but cannot address everything in one day unfortunately. They will be making adjustments throughout the weeks and addressing the most problematic areas first.' Marty Carr said in a Facebook post. According to Carr, some of the traffic changesinclude Farm Boy removing an unauthorized detour sign from their window, and plans to place a crossing guard at Alta Vista and Heron. City staff are also assessing extra traffic calming measures on Evans and Wesmar, improving signage and pavement markings at Bank and Evans, and lengthening left-turn lanes along Bank Street to improve traffic flow. The closure at Heron Road at Bank Street is part of the Bank Street Renewal Project, which began in June 2024. According to city, Phase 1 of the work on Bank Street, from Riverside Drive to Collins Avenue will be completed in 2027. But the completion can't come soon enough for some. 'We're down almost 80 per cent,' said Eli Ayoub, owner of Cigar Man on Bank Street. Heron Road Construction on Heron Road is sending traffic into Alta Vista. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa) The Cigar Man on Bank Street says his customers are avoiding the area due to construction. 'They don't know how to get into the mall because it's all blocked off, you know. You can't turn left. You can't turn right on Bank Street. Anywhere. You know that's ridiculous. Who's going to pay my rent,' he said. And it's the same at Magid's Barber Shop, who now only do about five haircuts per day. That's down nearly 75 per cent due to the construction. 'We were busy, you know like 20 or 15 haircuts a day,' said owner Magid Skana. But some residents in the area say the extra traffic is fine. 'No, it doesn't bother me,' said Eileen Pruneau, who has lived in the area for more than 40 years. Pruneau says you just have to accept it. 'Not much we can do because of this sewer system that they're changing.' Some residents even applauding the work being done. 'They're doing a great job. Just keep it up. I like the way they sectioned it off. I really like the way they're doing it this year,' said another resident, Tina.
CBC
2 days ago
- General
- CBC
Westboro Beach reopens after renovations
Westboro Beach has been reopened to the public after extensive renovations performed by the National Capital Commission (NCC), which added picnic space, outdoor showers, gender-neutral bathrooms and more. The design was approved in 2022 and closed that summer for construction. It has only been partially reopened since then. The $21 million project was partially funded by the City of Ottawa. It agreed to contribute as part of the agreement with the NCC for the light rail transit extension. An ice cream shop and cafe are open in the pavilion and the attached restaurant is expected to open soon. Yasir Naqvi, MP for Ottawa Centre, attended the opening ceremony Sunday. "I look forward to seeing our community embrace this transformed beach, creating lasting memories and continuing to cherish our vital green spaces," he said in a statement.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
No alcoholic drinks allowed in federal parks in Ottawa, as city to allow alcohol in some parks this summer
People look out from Kiweki Point (formerly Nepean Point) in Ottawa on the day of its re-opening following a major redevelopment, on Friday, May 16, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Parkgoers will be allowed to enjoy a cold beer or cooler in select Ottawa parks this summer, but you won't be able to drink an alcoholic beverage in federal parks like Major's Hill Park and Kìwekì Point, along the Rideau Canal and on Parliament Hill. A City of Ottawa committee approved a pilot project to allow alcohol consumption in designated areas of municipal parks this summer, with the parks selected by councillors. Under the plan, alcohol will be allowed in city parks between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m., from July 1 to Oct. 31. Alcoholic drinks will be forbidden within five metres of beaches, sports fields and playgrounds. But while the city will allow people to enjoy an alcoholic beverage in municipal parks, you won't be allowed to legally possess alcoholic drinks in federal parks across Ottawa. The National Capital Commission tells CTV News Ottawa the rules for alcohol consumption in NCC managed parks and lands are in accordance with Ontario rules. 'In Québec and in Ontario, alcohol consumption on NCC managed lands is subject to section 36 of the National Capital Commission Traffic and Property Regulations: 'No person shall have liquor in his possession on or in the property of the Commission other than in accordance with the laws of the province in which the Commission property is situated.,'' the NCC said in a statement. The NCC says bistros and patios in several parks sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on-site: Confederation Park, Remic Rapids Park, Patterson Creek Park, Hog's Back Park, as well as the taverns in Major's Hill Park and Bate Island Park. The Liquor Licence Act allows municipalities to designate public places where alcohol consumption is allowed.
CTV News
5 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Heron Road to be closed at Bank Street this summer: Here's what you need to know
The Bank Street renewal project is one of several construction projects underway in Ottawa this summer. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa) A busy road will be closed to traffic in Ottawa's Alta Vista neighbourhood for three months this summer, forcing motorists to detour around the area. Starting Sunday at 8 a.m., Heron Road will be closed east of the Bank Street intersection to Alta Vista Drive. The closure is expected to continue until Aug. 31 as part of the Bank Street Renewal Project. The City of Ottawa says the detour will direct motorists to use Walkley Road and Heron Road, east of Alta Vista as the alternate route. 'To expedite the underground infrastructure replacements at the intersection of Bank Street and Heron Road, Heron Road will close between Bank Street and Alta Vista Drive beginning on June 1, 2025, until late summer,' the city says. Bank Street will also be reduced to one lane in each direction from Riverside Drive to Collins Avenue. Ottawa construction The City of Ottawa shows the proposed detour around the Heron Road construction project this summer. (City of Ottawa/release) The city says businesses along Bank Street will remain open during the construction. The construction work this summer includes the installation of new storm and sanitary sewers along Bank Street. The first phase of the construction on Bank Street, from Riverside Drive to Collins Avenue, is expected to wrap up in 2027. OC Transpo OC Transpo routes 41, 92, 689 and 698 will be impacted by the closure., with routes detoured into Alta Vista Drive. Information on route changes and alternate stops are available at
CTV News
6 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Union calls for ‘serious, honest' review of Ottawa's transit system
An OC Transpo bus is seen in this undated file photo. (CTV News Ottawa) The union representing OC Transpo drivers is calling on the City of Ottawa to conduct a 'serious, honest review' of the transit system, warning the system is 'spiralling deeper into dysfunction.' The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 279 issued a statement as negotiations get underway between the union and OC Transpo on a new contract. In April, OC Transpo launched the New Ways to Bus, a sweeping redesign of the transit system designed to shorten bus routes and connect more riders to the O-Train and in neighbourhoods. Some transit riders have raised concerns about the new system, saying they have longer commutes to work or school. The union is raising concerns about the new system, saying the latest release of schedules 'reinforces the chaos' on the transit system. 'Riders are frustrated. Operators are exhausted. And yet, the voices of those most impacted continue to be ignored,' the union said. ATU president Noah Vineberg there needs to be a review of the transit system, and the city need to listen to riders and workers. 'For years, we've heard promises of New Ways to Bus – promises of innovation, better service, and a transit future we could believe in,' Vineberg said in a release. 'But we lived through unrealistic schedules and a system spiralling deeper into dysfunction for both riders and workers.' The union submitted a petition to Wednesday's Council meeting 'requesting a collective agreement that addresses higher wages and proper compensation, better working conditions and work/life balance.' The union said the petition was submitted 'as part of a transparent process' to bring 'urgent transit issues to the attention of local decision-makers.' 'This is about putting fundamental needs and public service back at the center of the conversation,' Vineberg said. 'ATU members remain united and committed to ensuring their voices — and the voices of transit riders — are no longer brushed aside.' According to the union, the current contract expired on March 31.
