New pedestrian crossovers open on the Queen Elizabeth Driveway

_ (Via City of Ottawa) _ ** Ottawa ** – Two new pedestrian crossovers, the first project completed in Ottawa under the Government of Canada’s Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF), opened today along the Queen Elizabeth Driveway.

The pedestrian crossovers are located on the west side of the Bank Street Bridge (east of Queen Elizabeth Place) and mid-block at Commissioners Park. Pedestrian crossovers were installed city-wide earlier this year along low-speed, low-volume roads. ** Related: WTF are PXOs? ** https://twitter.com/CFRAKristy/status/811941888928468993

https://twitter.com/CMcKennaOttawa/status/811973179501592580

“This is just the first in a long list of projects, co-funded by the PTIF, that will benefit Ottawa residents and improve mobility for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “I’m pleased to see the first project completed in time for 2017, when Canadians will be visiting Ottawa to celebrate Canada’s 150

th

birthday.”

For this project, the Government of Canada provided $375,000 and the City of Ottawa also provided $375,000. Across Canada, the Government of Canada is investing up to $3.4 billion through the PTIF, starting in 2016–17. These investments are intended to shorten commute times, cut air pollution, strengthen communities and grow Canada’s economy.

“The Government of Canada is working in partnership with the City of Ottawa to ensure that we make smart infrastructure investments that promote sustainable development, increase public safety, grow the middle class, and make sure that Canadians have a high quality of life,” said the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “Projects such as the pedestrian crossovers at Queen Elizabeth Driveway will promote safety and efficiency for pedestrians, cyclists and road users in the Ottawa community today and for future generations.”

The new crossings improve access for pedestrians and cyclists along the Queen Elizabeth Driveway who want to access Lansdowne Park, the Rideau Canal Western Pathway, or Commissioners Park by Dow’s Lake. These crossings will also provide safe and efficient access to and from the Carling Station of the O-Train’s Trillium Line, Carling Transit Priority Corridor and Bank Street transit connections.

“This great partnership with the City of Ottawa and the Government of Canada allowed the creation of new and safer pedestrian crossings on the Queen Elizabeth Driveway at Queen Elizabeth Place and Commissioners Park,” said Russell Mills, Chair of the National Capital Commission Board of Directors. “We are pleased to continue to improve the level of comfort and the safety of all users on the parkways in Canada’s Capital Region.”

These projects were among the priorities identified in the NCC’s 2011 Rideau Canal Corridor Pedestrian Crossing Study, completed with the participation of community associations, area interest groups, and the City of Ottawa, as well as representatives from Carleton University and the University of Ottawa. Since then, the NCC has completed work on the key crossing points along the Queen Elizabeth Driveway at Fifth Avenue, and along Colonel By Drive at Clegg Street, at Hartwells Locks and at Bronson Avenue.

“These two pedestrian crossings will improve access to the Rideau Canal and Lansdowne Park, increasing safety for walkers, cyclists, rollerbladers, skaters, runners and all commuters alike!” said the Honourable Yasir Naqvi, Attorney General and Member of Provincial Parliament, Ottawa Centre

For more information on the PTIF, visit infrastructure.gc.ca