January 28 Newsletter 2022

January 28, 2022 newsletter from Rawlson King, City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe.

January, or the month that can often feel like the longest month of the year is finally coming to a close. While we have had many cold days, I hope that residents have been able to make the most of the winter season. I would like to advise residents to avoid the downtown core this weekend unless absolutely necessary. We can anticipate that the expected arrival of demonstrators this weekend will have traffic impacts in the downtown core and on roadways and highways across the city. As a result of road closures due to the demonstration, the Ottawa Public Library’s Main and Rideau branches will be closed January 29 to 30. 

Last week, a public information session was held concerning the Donald Street Resurfacing and Cycling Lanes Functional Design. Display boards from the information session have now been posted and the City is inviting residents to review and provide comments by February 10, 2022. The Wateridge Village Community Association will be hosting their annual general meeting on Thursday, February 24, 2022. Residents who wish to attend this virtual meeting are asked to RSVP by February 17, 2022. In addition, they are seeking nominations to fill two board positions. More information on these positions can be found in the third item in this newsletter. 

There will be an information session on the Parkland Dedication By-law Review and Replacement on the evening on Tuesday, February 15. Residents interested in attending can find the link to participate on the Engage Ottawa page closer to the date. Finally, The Council on Aging of Ottawa is seeking feedback on walking conditions for pedestrians. You are invited to become a “Snow Mole” and report on conditions when you go out for an errand or a walk. Details on how to participate can be found at the end of this newsletter. 

Expected demonstration will result in weekend downtown travel disruptions 

Residents are advised to plan ahead this weekend for the possibility of significant traffic and transit delays or disruptions, surrounding the expected arrival of a demonstration into the downtown core of Ottawa on Saturday, January 29 and Sunday, January 30. Some demonstrators may arrive as early as today. 

It is anticipated the demonstrators will arrive in the area around Parliament Hill on Saturday. While the demonstrators are travelling on route to their destination, roadways and highways across the city are expected to experience traffic delays and disruptions. Additional information will be relayed to residents and businesses as it becomes available.  

People who are planning to travel by car into the downtown core and surrounding area should allow for additional time and plan possible alternate routes to their destinations. Keep track of the latest traffic information by utilizing traffic monitoring apps or follow the City’s Traffic Twitter account. 

Pedestrians and cyclists should be aware that there will be a significant heavy truck presence on roads and they should exercise caution.  

The protest is currently expected to occupy several streets in the downtown area around Parliament Hill. Major impacts include but are not limited to: 

• Wellington Street 
• Queen Street 
• Metcalfe Street 
• O’Connor Street 
• Lyon Street 
• Kent Street 
• Sir John A Macdonald Parkway 
• Queen Elizabeth Driveway 
• Laurier Avenue and Elgin Street around Confederation Park 

OC Transpo 

Detours are in effect due to the early closure of the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway (SJAM) for overflow of vehicles from Wellington St.  Detours mimic those for NCC weekend bike days in the summer, where the section of SJAM between Lincoln Fields Station and Westboro Station is diverted: 

• Eastbound: From the northbound Transitway at Lincoln Fields Station to Carling Ave, left on Woodroffe Ave, right on Richmond Road, left on Churchill Ave, Right on Scott St, left into Westboro Station and continue on Transitway Eastbound. 
• Westbound: From Westboro Station, right on Scott Street, left on Churchill Ave, right on Richmond Road, left on Woodroffe Ave, Right on Carling Ave then access Lincoln Fields Station to resume regular routing. 

Affected Routes: 

• Route 57, Route 61, Route 62, Route 63, Route 74, Route 75, Route 87. Affected stops on this section of the route will be marked as Not In Use. 
• Updates are also available on OC Transpo’s website.  

Stay up to date on the latest transit information by visiting octranspo.com, calling 613-560-5000 or following OC Transpo’s Twitter account. 

Keep track of the latest service impacts by following the City of Ottawa’s Facebook and Twitter pages. 

OPL’s Main and Rideau branches will be closed January 29 to 30 due to road closures  

The Main and Rideau branches of Ottawa Public Library will be closed Saturday, January 29 and Sunday, January 30 due to nearby road closures mandated by police in advance of a demonstration by a convoy of trucks expected to converge on Parliament and downtown Ottawa.  

The Main (120 Metcalfe St.) and Rideau (377 Rideau St.) branches will reopen Monday, January 31 at 10 am.   

Library services are available online via the OPL website and virtual branch.    

The closest alternative OPL locations for library branch services are:  

• St-Laurent: 515 Côté   
• Vanier: 310 Pères Blancs   
• Sunnyside: 1049 Bank   
• Rosemount: 18 Rosemount   

Expiry dates for holds items and due dates for material borrowed at Main and Rideau branches have been extended accordingly to Monday, January 31.  

Visit the OPL website for information about hours and location, virtual programming, to search the OPL catalogue and numerous other library services and digital resources.   

Donald Street Resurfacing and Cycling Lanes Functional Design 

The City of Ottawa is undertaking a functional design of Donald Street from Vanier Parkway to Alesther street which include cycling facilities as part of the upcoming resurfacing project on Donald Street. The study process will involve developing, assessing, and evaluating the roadway segment for the inclusion of cycling facilities. 

Public consultation took place in a virtual public information session that was held on Wednesday January 19, 2022. Display boards from the information session can be found here. 

The City of Ottawa invites you to review and provide comments on the Functional Design of Donald Street from Vanier Parkway to Alesther street by February 10, 2022. Information can be submitted to the contact below. 

For further information or to provide comments, please contact: 

Amir Zahabi, P.Eng. 
Engineer – Design Review and Implementation 
Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development 
City of Ottawa 
110 Laurier Avenue West 
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1J1 
[email protected] 
613-580-2424, ext. 16821 

Wateridge Village Community Association AGM - Save the Date! 

On Thursday, February 24, 2022, at 7:00 pm we will be hosting the Wateridge Village Community Association's Annual General Meeting (virtually on Zoom).  

More details and the meeting link will be distributed closer to the event. 

Please RSVP your attendance to [email protected] by February 17, 2022. 

Seeking nominations! 

We are now seeking nominations to fill two board positions that will be voted in during the AGM. These volunteer positions are open to residents of Wateridge Village who are members in good standing of the WVCA. Not yet a member? Join now. 

Communications Lead 

Is responsible for: 

• Developing community communications such as Facebook posts and newsletters. 
• Coordinating translation of communications if required. 
• Monitoring WVCA Facebook Page. 

Membership 

Is responsible for: 

• Maintaining a list of all members and sending out reminders when memberships are due. 
• Recruit new members through events and communication vehicles. 
• By joining the WVCA board you’ll not only be contributing to the neighbourhood of today, you’ll also be a key part in building the community of tomorrow!  

Many important decisions are being made that will affect our neighbourhood for decades to come, the more insights, ideas and expertise we bring to the table the more we will all benefit. We look forward to receiving your applications! 

To apply please fill out this form and return by email to [email protected] by February 3, 2022.  

You can download a copy of our Bylaws here.  

Questions? Curious to know more? Send us an email! 

Save the Date! Information Session — Parkland Dedication By-law Review and Replacement 

Please join the Parkland Dedication By-law Review and Replacement project team for an online information session on Tuesday, February 15 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm to learn more about: 

• Why the project is taking place (Legislative requirement) 
• Project scope 
• Stakeholder input 
• Next steps 
• Project timeline 

As the project is still in the beginning phases, there are not yet any changes proposed to the by-law. Discussion of proposed changes will take place during online information sessions held in the next phase of the project. 

This session will be held in a webinar format. Staff will present and participants can enter questions and comments for the project team’s response and consideration. The information session will be bilingual, and accommodations will be available if requested in advance. 

*This page will be updated with a link for the information session as the date approaches. 

Snow Moles 2022 

Snow Moles are volunteers who report on what it is like to walk outside on a winter day.  

You are invited to ensure healthy, accessible, and safe winter walking conditions in Ottawa, by becoming a Snow Mole and completing a Winter Walkability and Pedestrian Safety Audit. Your answers will be part a 2022 Winter Walking in Ottawa: Snow Mole Report shared with the City of Ottawa for better understanding of the safety of winter walking in Ottawa.  

Instructions for Age-Friendly Ottawa SNOW MOLES 

1. When you go out for an errand or a walk, please use the Snow Mole Questionnaire to note features and conditions that are “safe” (e.g., a bench cleared of snow) as well as “unsafe” (e.g., snow piled up in intersections).  
2. We encourage you to take and submit photos of both safe and unsafe features and conditions. Send photos to [email protected]  
3. Complete the questionnaire online or drop off/mail it to: The Council on Aging of Ottawa (815 St. Laurent Blvd #217, Ottawa, ON K1K 3A7).