Ongoing LRT construction frustrates Hwy. 174 commuters
Ongoing LRT construction in Ottawa's east end has some commuters unhappy with lane reductions along Highway 174.
The reduction near Jeanne d'Arc Boulevard, which a local city councillors calls "absolutely unacceptable," has snarled traffic in the area for the past week. As cars slowly crawl westbound along the highway, frustration is building for many commuters like John Klatt.
Ongoing LRT construction in Ottawa's east end has some commuters unhappy with lane reductions along Highway 174 in March of 2023.
"It's the parking lot known as Orléans. Anybody trying to get out of the area is trapped in this," Klatt said. "It takes a good half-hour sometimes between here in Montreal Road, normally it takes maybe two minutes, if that."
Klatt says although there are other routes to avoid the highway such as, St. Joseph Boulevard and Montreal and Innes roads, they aren't any better than simply waiting for the clog to clear.
The problem with this traffic pinch-point is in the planning, residents say. The lane reduction was needed to allow LRT construction crews safely install drainage infrastructure in the guideway, where Stage 2 trains will eventually run on tracks between the highway.
But the closure, which happened last Wednesday, was not communicated to residents, they say.
"ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE"
"This project has been difficult and intrusive for many Orléans residents, both from a construction impact and a traffic perspective," Coun. Matthew Luloff said. "It is absolutely unacceptable for residents to be dealing with this level of delay during their commute."
Luloff said he doesn't agree with having the fast lane of the highway closed during peak hours for an extended period and would have preferred an alternative solution.
"Since last week, I've been in constant communication with senior staff in the Stage 2 team to convey the frustration of my residents and it's clear that this is an unacceptable situation."
Farther east, near Place d'Orléans Shopping Centre, a one kilometre westbound stretch of Hwy. 174 is now reduced to a single lane until May, while crews install sound barriers for the LRT station.
Luloff said the communication on that lane reduction was better.
"This was clearly communicated to the public by Stage 2 teams in advance, and through my office, which allowed residents to plan ahead and your shift their travel plans accordingly," says Coun. Luloff. "On Monday and Tuesday of last week when the lane reductions were in place, delays were minimal and traffic moved generally well."
In a statement, the city said work is progressing well near Jeanne d'Arc and the lane is anticipated to reopen on or before next Monday.
"We anticipate that once the westbound lane closure near Jeanne d'Arc Boulevard ends, the impact to traffic will be greatly reduced," said the statement attributed to Jacelyn Daigle, acting director of the rail construction program. "We thank residents for their patience while we work to complete these activities.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Fort Nelson, B.C., wildfire doubles in size as 3,000-plus ordered to evacuate
The wildfire that sparked Friday and caused evacuation orders for more than 3,000 people in Fort Nelson, B.C., and the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has grown to nearly 1,700 hectares in size, according to a Saturday morning update from the BC Wildfire Service.
IN PHOTOS Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Mildmay, Collingwood and St. Thomas, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Dutch contestant kicked out of Eurovision hours before tension-plagued song contest final
The Netherlands' contestant in the Eurovision Song Contest was dramatically expelled from competition hours before Saturday's final of the pan-continental pop competition, which has been rattled by protests over the participation of Israel.
Protest encampment cleared by Edmonton police early Saturday morning
A protest encampment set up on the University of Alberta campus was cleared early Saturday morning by Edmonton police.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Haitians demand the resignation and arrest of the country's police chief after a new gang attack
A growing number of civilians and police officers are demanding the dismissal and arrest of Haiti's police chief as heavily armed gangs launched a new attack in the capital of Port-au-Prince, seizing control of yet another police station early Saturday.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.