Pedestrian Project Award Institute of Transportation Engineers Rideau Canal Pedestrian Crossing Planning and Environmental Assessment Report The Setting The Rideau Canal and its adjacent pathways are highly regarded recreational amenities that are used yearround. During the spring and summer months, the Canal corridor is enjoyed by pedestrians, cyclists, roller bladers, and boaters. In the late autumn, the Canal is drained, but activities continue along the adjacent pathways. During the winter months, the Canal is transformed into the world's longest skating rink. The unforgettable adventure of skating on 7.8 km of the Canal, is experienced annually by over 1 million residents and tourists to the National Capital Region. Within this context the concept of a pedestrian crossing of the historic Rideau Canal in the heart of the Nation's Capital was initially conceived almost twenty years ago. In 1984, an Agreement was developed between the former Region of Ottawa-Carleton (the Region) and the National Capital Commission (NCC), which outlined several areas in the former Region for improved transit linkages. Included in this Agreement was the vision of a pedestrian overpass connecting the area on the west side of the Rideau Canal to the Campus Transitway Station at the University of Ottawa on the east side of the Canal. The aspiration of a pedestrian bridge was realized in the spring of 2 when the former Region of Ottawa-Carleton (now the City of Ottawa), in collaboration with the NCC and Parks Canada, retained Delcan Corporation to conduct the planning and environmental assessment study of a proposed crossing of the Rideau Canal in the central core of Ottawa. This pedestrian crossing would provide a means of alternative transportation in the City of Ottawa in keeping with the City's move towards Smart Growth.
Consultation The study was planned in accordance with the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA), the NCC's Environmental Assessment Policy, and the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process. Public involvement and consensus building were critical components to the overall study effort. The Rideau Canal The Rideau Canal is owned by Parks Canada while the NCC owns the adjacent lands. The Rideau Canal is a national navigable historic waterway with a unique character thatis highly treasured biresidents ofthe National Capital Region, Canadians and tourists. Signature elements of the Canal parkway include the distinctive street lamps, simple precast concrete and steel pipe handrails, unadorned natural limestone and concrete walls, floral beds, and recreational paths. All projects which could affect this valued amenity are subject to considerable scrutiny to ensure a balance between enhancement of the Canal corridor while minimizing disruption to its contextual environment. I Project Challenges There were many challenges experienced by the study team throughout this assignment. Some of these challenges included: -.- National Symbols: ensuring that views of the National Symbols, (i.e., Parliament Buildings) are protected and not adversely affected by the planned pedestrian crossing. Navigational Clearance: providing sufficient vertical clearance over the Canal for the 22 boats that pass through this section of the Canal annually. Irregular Topography: ensuring that bridge concepts respond to the asymmetrical topography and irregular morphology of the site. Functional Requirements: developing bridge designs and approaches that are functional, safe for all users, and usable year-round. Contextual Environment: respecting heritage and contemporary stylistic influences which flank the Canal. Architectural Expression: achieving an aesthetically pleasing solution from a distance and from up close, day or night; maximizing transparency and lightness of bridge structures; and visually enhancing the setting without overwhelming it. Project Objectives The study area is situated between the two established urban neighbourhoods of Sandy Hill and Centretown. Both neighbourhoods are characterized by predominantly smaller scale older residential and commercial buildings, while the immediate environment of the Canal corridor is higher density with more contemporary buildings. These neighbourhoods are well populated and a high proportion of travel is by walking and cycling. A pedestrian crossing of the Rideau Canal in this area would have major benefits including:
~ Vistas Landscapc ~ -cultural Would create a linkage between Centretown and the City s Transitway system at the University of Ottawa s Campus Station in Sandy Hill; Would improve access to these neighbourhoods as there is no existing connection between the Laurier Bridge, north of the study area, and the Pretoria Bridge, south of the study area. The distance between these two bridges is approximately 1.6 km; Would result in a connection between the recreational pathways located on either side of the Canal; and Would serve as a convenient tourist route and crossing for leisure commuter traffic. It is projected that approximately 3, pedestriardcyclists will use the pedestrian bridge daily. This conservative estimate is expected to increase over time with ongoing infill development on either side of the Canal, increased enrolment at the University of Ottawa and increasing trends towards transit use in the City of Ottawa. Crossing Solutions In response to the need for a crossing, alternative crossing solutions were identified and evaluated. The crossing solutions considered and evaluated included an Overpass and an Underpass. The preferred solution was an Overpass based on better security and reduced connection length for pedestrians/cyclists. wcr Don Valley Bndge 4 m r9- Alternative Bridge Concepts Site planning and design parameters were developed to guide the design of alternative bridge concepts. These parameters were interpreted from the existing conditions and policies, and from consultation with the advisory committees (ie., Accessibility Advisory Committee, Citizens for Safe Cycling, Ottawa Cycling advisory Committee amongst others). The Functional and Physical design parameters detail the features that were used and/or given consideration in planning for this facility. These two parameters included such design features as the following: Ability to accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, roller bladders and persons with physical disabilities; Accessible connections by all users to the pathways along the Canal; Minimal distances for all users between origin and destination; Usable year round; Provision of adequate vertical and horizontal clearance for all users of the Canal and adjacent pathways; Provision of safety measures such as clear sign lines, good lighting and appropriate railing; 5. m deck and approach ramps to provide for two directional movements of all users; 5% maximum grade; and 2% cross-slope on the bridge deck and approaches. 3 - -i Vicws and -i Physicar \ \ Design, Alternative /I+ Bridge ~, Concepts, - Funtti6nal Requircments 1 a,
I- Bridge concepts were developed for eight (8) high-level spans; three (3) moveable mid-level spans; and a moveable low-level span. An evaluation led to the selection of four (4) high-level bridges which were fkther refined resulting in variations to the original bridge concepts..=.. - i. _r. --- : A second evaluation followed to determine the Preferred Design. Visualizations from key viewpoints were generated to facilitate the evaluation process. The evaluation resulted in the selection of the Rigid Frame Bridge (Double Inclined Leg and Single Inclined Leg) as the Preferred Design. The proposed Rigid Frame Bridge would be visually light, elegant, understated, unobtrusive as well as respecthl and sensitive to the Rideau Canal's contextual environment. Alternative 6R2: Rigid Frame Bridge (Single Inclined Leg) Alternative 6R1: Rigid Frame Bridge (Double Inclined Leg)
Bridge approaches will be significant components of the bridge from a visual and hctional perspective. Two basic ramp alternatives were examined: a straight ramp and a switchback ramp. Further analysis of these two ramps is being conducted during the preliminary and detailed design phase.?om Lmricr Bridge looking south I Straight Ramp Switchback Ramp Assessment of Effects Based on this assessment, it was concluded that no significant adverse environmental effects are predicted to occur during the preconstruction, construction, and operational phases of the pedestrian project. For the most part, the proposed pedestrian bridge crossing will offer many positive benefits during the operational phase: It will create a pedestrian and transit link between the communities of Sandy Hill and Centretown; It will improve transit accessibility; It will enhance the connectivity in the overall Rideau Canal/bicycle system; It will establish a convenient pedestrian route for core area tourists and leisure commuter traffic; and Will provide alternative transportation in keeping with the City's move toward Smart Growth. Closing Remarks The Rideau Canal Pedestrian Crossing-Planning and Environmental Assessment Report was approved by the City of Ottawa's Council on June 26,22. The vision of a pedestrian bridge in the heart of Ottawa is now closer to reality as fimding has been allocated for the detailed design phase which began in Spring 23. During this phase stakeholder meetings continue to be held with the Accessibility Advisory Committee, Cycling Advisory Committee and the Transportation Advisory Committee to obtain final endorsement of the preferred approach ramps and bridge design. This consultation will ensure that the needs of the mobility impaired pedestrians, cyclists and all other general users are met through enhanced design of the approach ramps and bridge. Construction of the bridge and approach ramps in tentatively scheduled for Spring 24.