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OTTAWA, Jan. 31 /CNW/ - The Ernie Eves government is launching a
transportation study for a bypass that will handle growth and combat gridlock
in the Ottawa area, Transportation Minister and Lanark-Carleton MPP Norm
Sterling announced today.
The Ottawa Bypass Needs Assessment Study will determine transportation
demands in the Ottawa area over the next 30 years, recommend a strategy to
ensure the efficient movement of the area's inter-regional and provincial
traffic, and define how a new transportation corridor around the city could
improve the flow of people and goods in the region.
"This Bypass study, combined with our major provincial investments in
Ottawa area roadways and transit, are important tools as we work to tackle
congestion on the Queensway and across Ottawa," Sterling said. "Our government
is committed to transportation planning initiatives like this to manage future
growth and create more economic prosperity across eastern Ontario."
The Ministry of Transportation is issuing a request for Expressions of
Interest (EOI) for an 18-month study that will begin in Spring 2003. The
province will work with the City of Ottawa and other stakeholders on planning
for a potential bypass in the south end of Ottawa. This bypass could connect
Highways 17/417 (Queensway), 7, and 416 in the west with Highway 417 in the
east, helping to relieve congestion through urban Ottawa.
"Well-planned growth is smart growth. The broad scope of this study will
not only take into account the City of Ottawa's plans for expanding our
transit system, but also will consider alternative roadway solutions," said
Ottawa-Orléans MPP Brian Coburn. "We will gain a thorough understanding of
Ottawa's continued growth from this work, as well as the best possible options
for managing that growth successfully."
Sterling said the study supports the province's overall vision of an
integrated transportation system that balances investments in highways and
public transit, ensuring that commuters do not become too dependent on a
single mode. The study will provide opportunities for public input and also
review transit options in the corridor.
"Traffic congestion in the Ottawa area is expected to increase
significantly over the next 20 years," said Jim Nubel, Chair of the Eastern
Ontario Smart Growth Panel. "This potential corridor will be considered as one
part of an overall plan for developing Ottawa's transportation infrastructure,
a plan that includes promoting transit use and alternative travel choices."
"Our export-driven economy depends on an efficient transportation
network," said David Glastonbury, Chair of the Greater Ottawa Chamber of
Commerce. "This bypass will enable the more efficient delivery of goods, which
is good news for local businesses."
The Ontario government has taken a lead role in promoting a balanced and
integrated transportation system -- in line with Ontario's Smart Growth
objectives of sustaining a strong economy, building strong communities and
ensuring a clean and healthy environment.
To see a map concerning this release, please go to
http://files.newswire.ca/6/janiceen.gif
Backgrounder
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ONTARIO GOVERNMENT INVESTS IN
OTTAWA AREA TRANSPORTATION
Smart Growth and Transportation - Ottawa Bypass Needs Assessment Study
As part of its made-in-Ontario Smart Growth initiative, the Ontario
government is moving forward with a series of major transportation studies to
help Ontario's transportation network support the dramatic population and
economic growth expected over the next 30 years.
The province is taking the next step in planning for a new east-west
transportation corridor in order to ensure that potential route opportunities
are not lost as development proceeds. Planning for the Ottawa bypass will be
coordinated with the Inter-provincial Bridge Environmental Assessment to
ensure that the processes complement and support one another.
A new Ottawa bypass would potentially connect Highways 17/417
(Queensway), 416, and 7 in the west end with Highway 417 in the east end, and
provide better movement of people and goods around Ottawa. The benefits of a
bypass would include: improved inter-regional movement of people and goods
through the area; improved east-west mobility in the central and southern
parts of the city; and improvements to transit.
A new bypass is just one of the measures that will help improve traffic
flow in the Ottawa area. Other initiatives the government is either planning
or implementing to tackle congestion include: adding additional lanes on the
Queensway itself; making improvements to interchanges on the Queensway; and
investing in public transit improvements and expansion.
The Ottawa Bypass Needs Assessment Study will also look at the potential
for transit in the corridor. The study will begin in spring 2003.
The planning, design and construction process includes the following
stages:
Stage 1 - Transportation Needs Assessment Study
Stage 2 - Environmental Assessment Terms of Reference
Stage 3 - Environmental Assessment Study for Route Location and Concept
Design
Stage 4 - Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) for
Design/Property Acquisition
Stage 5 - Obtaining Permits/Approvals
Stage 6 - Construction
Ontario's Transit Investment Plan
In September 2001, the government announced a 10-year, $3.25 billion
transit investment to ensure the province has an efficient, integrated
transportation system. This is in addition to the investment of more than
$10 billion over 10 years targeted for the province's highway network.
Transit Renewal
In January 2003, the government announced the second year of the Ontario
Transit Renewal Program to replace aging municipal transit buses. Ottawa is
eligible to receive up to $12.9 million from the program to purchase
replacement buses or refurbish existing ones. In 2002, Ottawa received
$12.8 million from the province and was able to purchase 79 new buses for the
OC Transpo fleet.
Transit Investment Partnerships
Another essential part of the Ontario government's commitment to support
transit is the Transit Investment Partnerships (TIP) for transit expansion.
Targeted for communities outside the Golden Horseshoe, TIP will provide up to
$250 million over 10 years to municipalities across Ontario for inter-regional
transit expansion projects.
In August 2002, the Ontario government announced a number of short-term
transit improvement projects for Ottawa that will receive SuperBuild funding.
The projects include:
- expansion of several "park-and-ride" facilities and corresponding bus
services;
- construction of Kanata Centrum Station;
- vehicle tracking systems to improve transit performance; and
- a study for rapid-transit expansion.
The government's investment in transit is part of its Smart Growth
strategy to strengthen the economy, build strong communities and protect the
environment.
New highway construction in the Ottawa area
- Highway 416 (Veterans Memorial Highway): $215.3 million invested in
the corridor since 1995;
- Highway 417 extension to Arnprior: $56.5 million to date and expected
to reach $63.2 million by the end of this fiscal year;
- Highway 7 expansion; and
- Queensway improvements.
SuperBuild Millennium Partnerships
The government announced the five-year SuperBuild Millennium Partnerships
initiative, including $250 million in funding for public-private strategic
infrastructure in eight major urban centres, as part of the 2001 Budget.
The government has announced an agreement with Ottawa on its Millennium
projects. The $70 million investment will fund the following priority
projects:
- $45 million for five transportation improvement and expansion
projects; and
- $25 million toward the expansion of the Ottawa Congress Centre.
In addition, the province has committed $57 million toward the expansion
of the Queensway as part of the package.
Queensway Expansion
The Queensway project will ease traffic congestion and improve safety
along the corridor. The government is committed to moving forward with
widening the Queensway (Highway 417) and interchanges at Terry Fox Drive and
Eagleson Road. Planning for these improvements is well underway. The estimated
cost of the Queensway widening and interchanges is $50-$60 million. In
addition to these improvements, the City of Ottawa will invest in a new
interchange at Highway 417 and Castlefrank Road.
More information is available on the website: www.ottawabypass.ca.
This project will also support economic development and growth in Ottawa,
particularly in the west-end high-tech sector. Construction timing will be
determined by the completion of the planning work and receipt of environmental
approvals.
Disponible en français
For more information visit www.mto.gov.on.ca or www.ottawabypass.ca
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For further information: Bob Nichols, Communications Branch, (416) 327-1158; Bill Parish, Minister's Office, (416) 327-1824
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