Ottawa eyes $740,000 purchase of decommissioned rail corridor in west end
The city of Ottawa is set to purchase a former CN Rail corridor in the west end, which could be used for transportation or recreational purposes in the future.
A report for the Finance and Economic Development Committee recommends purchasing the 32.5 kilometre Beachburg Subdivision corridor for $740,000.
The corridor starts in the western Greenbelt, and extends northwest through Kanata terminating at Morris Island Drive, just east of the Ottawa River. It passes south and west of Department of National Defence Facilities, near existing employment and residential areas of Kanata, and has seven bridges and 52 culverts.
"The rail corridor has been decommissioned, has not been used for many years, and the railway tracks and ties have been removed," says the report for the Oct. 5 FEDCO meeting.
"The corridor is used and maintained by the West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association (WCSTA), which has a 20-year license with CN that expires in 2038."
Staff say purchasing the corridor to Morris Island Drive enables the city to provide a potential connection to a location near the conservation area.
"The acquisition of the corridor lands and bridge will provide an opportunity for the city to improve the road network at this location and upgrades to the Carling Avenue Cycling project without having to independently acquire the land," said the report.
The city of Ottawa's Official Plan Rights-of-Way Protection Policy states that the city will purchase surplus railway rights-of-way and consider purchasing railway corridor properties as they become available, and reserve them for future transportation and infrastructure purposes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Trump hush money trial: Play-by-play on Day 2 of Stormy Daniels testimony
Adult film star Stormy Daniels took the stand for a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump's hush money case continues in Manhattan.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street
B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.