National Capital
ReVision
Prepared for Ms. Marie Lemay
CEO – National Capital Commission
Prepared by Derek Reid
Chair – City Centre Coalition
June 18th, 2009
Excerpts from “The making of modern Ottawa”
Ken Gray - The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Thursday, October 25, 2007
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"The National Capital Commission and its predecessors created the majestic capital driveways in response to that great North American pastime of a half-century ago - the Sunday drive. The Gréber plan resulted in the triumph of the car, a legacy that remains today." |
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“The speed on the parkway is supposed to be 60 km/h but realistically cars travel at as high as 100 km/h. That's a very effective pedestrian barrier.”
“The national capital region has three major rivers and a UNESCO world heritage site in the Rideau Canal. But, in part due to the NCC driveways, we don't think of Ottawa as a water city. Again that's the result of the 1950s triumph of the car.”
“The predominance of the car cannot continue without catastrophic climactic consequences.”
“Ottawa, as a G8 capital, the best-educated major city in Canada, and as the richest metropolis in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, should lead the fight against environmental degradation.”
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“This city should be an example for the world in development intensification, mass transit and green practices. When tourists from around Canada and the world descend on Ottawa, they should see a model city from which to take home ideas. Diplomats, on their return to their native lands, should have stories to tell about the innovative Canadian capital.” |
National Capital Driveways
As observed by Ken Gray of The
Ottawa Citizen, "Scenic Driveways" are outdated. They promote the
non-sustainable use of private automobiles. They encourage urban sprawl. They
are a symbol of past ideals and they are sending the wrong message to today's
visitors and tourists.
Like highways, they disturb the tranquility of the waterfronts they traverse.
They make it increasingly difficult to access these shorelines including the Rideau Canal. Waterfront parks, pathways and cycling routes are integral to Ottawa's capital image.
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Colonel By Drive |
Ottawa River Parkway |
Proposed Aviation Parkway |
The proposal of allowing trucks to use the Aviation Parkway is unacceptable. Buses now - or trains in the future - running along the Ottawa River Parkway is not ideal. As we shift to a greener more sustainable future, the NCC could lead the way by transforming these outdated scenic driveways to more modern Scenic Greenways - for green non-intrusive transportation modes only. Tranquil waterfronts and parks are better enjoyed by pedestrians and cyclists.
Colonel By Drive on a summer Sunday
National Capital Transit
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Currently, transit in this city is not "hip and cool." It does not provide visitors with easy-to-understand means of getting around, and it does not inspire many residents to give up owning an automobile. Mass-transit needs to be cohesive and integrated in order to be efficient and effective. The health and vitality of the capital region depends on a shift towards using sustainable modes of transportation. |
STO Network Map |
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OC Transpo Network Map |
Catching a bus on Rideau Street |
For example, a monorail line could replace Colonel By Drive to serve the Rideau Canal. Monorails are quiet and would not disturb the potential tranquility of waterfronts. They are elegant and esthetic. They are elevated and have a minimal foot-print. A Rideau Canal monorail would provide a valuable link for tourists and residents to the many festival and educational destinations along the route including: Dow's lake, Lansdowne Park and all three universities. It would serve well the Tulip Festival and Winterlude. Instead of restricting access like the driveways do, a monorail would greatly improve access to the canal for public transit users, cyclists, skaters and pedestrians.
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Carleton University and Dow’s Lake |
Rideau Canal |
Western Corridor - Carling Avenue
Monorail in Moscow, Russia
A monorail line could also serve Carling Avenue, a route preferred by the surrounding community for mass-transit since major destinations are located along it. It would enable the many advantages of a grade-separated transit corridor, while maintaining easy cross-flow below. Elevated monorail would permit easier passage across Carling for all modes of transportation than would surface LRT.
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Proposed Sparks Street monorail |
Bombardier Monorail in Los Vegas |
O-Train Expansion
Example of regional vision
Monorail lines could also link downtown Ottawa and Gatineau with the O-Train. The O-Train is a very cost-effective mass-transit option, and could then provide extensive commuter service to the suburbs of the capital region. Existing railroads along with old rail corridors and Transitway corridors link every suburb in Ottawa and Gatineau. An integrated monorail / O-Train network that would link major destinations - and provide a competitive alternative to the private automobile - would send the right message to visitors and tourists: Canada's future is green and sustainable.
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Bombardier’s O-Train serving Ottawa
Example of scenic, efficient and inspiring transit links
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Proposed Scenic Monorail - Downtown Bypass |
Monorail in Seattle, USA |
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Bombardier monorail serving a commercial centre |
Monorail along waterfront |
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Proposed Scenic Monorail – Rideau Canal |
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Monorail along waterfront |
Bombardier’s Mark VII monorail |
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Current Transportation Projects
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Rapidbus - $200M |
The City of Gatineau has approved a $200M bus Transitway to be constructed parallel to the railroad that extends north beyond the current O-Train line. |
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The City of Ottawa has approved an unimaginative uninspiring $1.4B light-rail line that does not enable inter-provincial transit; does not provide new rapid-transit corridors; and will not help anyone get anywhere faster. It simply replaces one form a rapid transit with another. A very deep tunnel (6 to 10 floors deep) with boringly identical stations is not Ottawa's character. It is not symbolic or inspiring. |
Ottawa LRT - $1.4B |
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NCC - $400M |
The NCC is considering a new $400M east-end bridge. The result would be an expanded road network, and the reduction of the quality of life for those who happen to be near the new route. It would impact the surrounding environment, and create more pollution from thousands of trucks per day that would be forced to travel further to cross the river. It would not restore King Edward as a beautiful avenue friendly to green transportation modes. |
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A better solution for King Edward Avenue has been studied by the City of Ottawa. A $190M inland tunnel could link the Mac Donald-Cartier Bridge with the Queensway via Nicholas. This option could significantly improve conditions along King Edward avenue -- currently a depressing gateway to Ottawa.
The option of an inland tunnel link needs to be assessed by the NCC as a fourth option for an inter-provincial corridor, and as an alternative to a new bridge. |
King Edward-to-Nicholas Tunnel |
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A new bridge in the east would impact the surrounding environment, and create more pollution from thousands of trucks per day that would be forced to travel further to cross the river.
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King Edward-to-Nicholas Tunnel: North Portal
The city has informed local residents that the requested cross-walk at Cathcart and King Edward would be too dangerous. How about replacing the current highway with a local road and a park? The King Edward-to-Nicholas tunnel would enable a dramatic revitalization of King Edward Avenue. South of St Patrick, it could be restored as a beautiful tree-lined four-lane avenue.
King Edward-to-Nicholas Tunnel: South Portal
Access to the tunnel could be located at St-Patrick Street
and at the southern portal located by Laurier Avenue.
$2 Billion Seeking Vision
The NCC has the opportunity to take the lead in regional transportation
projects. Gatineau's "Rapibus" and Ottawa's LRT projects need to be
re-evaluated. A new east-end bridge needs to be reconsidered. These three
projects together are worth at least two billion dollars. An integrated
solution must be sought. The NCC is positioned well to lead and to enact
vision, and should therefore gather local governments and inspire a vision
that will unite the capital region.
Two billion dollars could be better invested by providing the National Capital Region with an efficient and modern mass-transit network, perhaps using elegant monorails and cost-effective O-Trains. A two billion dollar monorail / O-Train network would make our capital proud. Tourists and visitors would remember and tell stories of the scenic and elegant trips around the region. They would be inspired, and know that Ottawa, our nation's capital, believes in sustainable transportation and a greener future.
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Bombardier monorail tracks in Los Vegas. Evacuation platform located down middle serves both directions |
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The visibility of modern mass-transit would send the right message to visitors |
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Inspiring Symbols of Innovation and Sustainability
Proposed monorail serving Ottawa’s train station
Interior view of Bombardier’s monorail in Los Vegas – built in Kingston, Ontario!
O-Train expansion is an affordable way to serve the many suburbs of the region.
Cost estimates based on best available data
Rideau Canal & Sparks Street Monorail
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Proposed monorail serving roof of Rideau Centre |
90 Sparks Street |
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Carleton University |
Street cars once served Sparks Street |
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Hog’s Back Falls and Heron Bridge |
Sparks street historically was an active transit hub |
Sparks Street Stations
Along Sparks Street, monorail stations could be located almost entirely inside existing office towers
Lebreton Flats Station, a major transfer station in the proposed monorail network, could fit into the current foot-print of the Lebreton Transitway station.
Lac Leamy Monorail
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Les grands feux du Casino du Lac-Leamy |
Lac Leamy |
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Galeries de Hull – station could be on the roof |
Musée des civilisations |
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Parc Hôtel-de-Ville |
Weaving through Place du Portage |
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National Capital Image
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Ms. Lemay’s Exécutive Monorail Car > |
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Diplomats could be treated to private tours of the scenic monorail network. Now that would be worth writing home about! |
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OK, this scene is remarkable too.
Presentation prepared by Derek Reid
Chair - City Centre Coalition
(613) 265-1895
drekroid@yahoo.ca