Carling Avenue Construction (June 2010)

This sewer and water main construction led to a dramatic increase in the volume of traffic in our neighbourhood, as people tried to avoid the traffic backups on Carling Ave. by cutting through our streets. This made existing problems with speeding, stop signs not being respected, and illegal turns on to Richmond Road much worse.

Traffic Studies

We are thankful that, as a registered community group, the community association has access to the City of Ottawa's radar gun for conducting traffic studies in the neighbourhood.

After receiving feedback from residents concerned about speeding and an increase in traffic during the Carling Avenue construction, the WCA conducted two surveys during the afternoon rush hour to get more detailed information about these problems.

Woodland Avenue

This study was conducted to assess Northbound traffic between Carling Ave. and Lawn Ave. between 4:30-5:30 PM on Monday, July 5th. The findings were:

157 vehicles travelled northbound on that block
60% of the vehicles were travelling faster than the 50 km/h speed limit
20 vehicles travelled faster than 60 km/h
5 vehicles travelled faster than 70 km/h
1 vehicle travelled at 79 km/h

These findings show roughly twice the normal traffic volume for a weekday at that time and significant problems with speeding.

More traffic studies will be conducted as the City of Ottawa's radar gun becomes available.

Edgeworth Avenue

This was a traffic count conducted to assess traffic in both directions on Edgeworth Ave. between Carling Ave. and Lawn Ave. between 5:00-6:00 PM on Thursday, July 15. This traffic count found that 200 vehicles travelled on that block during that one-hour period. Normal traffic levels see 700 vehicles in a day.

Conclusions

The community association concluded, based on resident feedback, traffic studies, and traffic photos taken during the afternoon rush hour, that the construction on Carling Ave. greatly increased the volume of non-local traffic in our neighbourhood, which made the traffic problems in our neighbourhood much worse. It is important to strike a balance between the need for drivers to get where they need to go, and for pedestrians, cyclists and residents to feel safe on our neighbourhood streets.

The community association worked with Alex Cullen and the City of Ottawa's Traffic Department to try to find a solution to these problems, while understanding the need to upgrade the water and sewer main infrastructure.

The Ottawa Police were also contacted to enforce illegal driving activity in the neighbourhood.

Please note the community association did not seek to close all access to Richmond Road, simply selective enforcement to prevent illegal left-turns and to curtail speeding. The goal was to curtail the illegal driving activity, and thus make Woodpark a less attractive option for drivers looking to use the neighbourhood as a thoroughfare.

Media

Woodpark Residents Complain of Carling Construction
CBC News, July 16, 2010

Construction Project Causes Chaos
Ottawa West EMC, July 15, 2010