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What Is the Issue?
Bank St. currently has two lanes in each direction over Billings Bridge with no cycling facilities. It is a major route for people cycling, connecting major destinations on either side of the Rideau River such as the Rideau River pathways, Transitway, Billings Bridge Mall, and employment, shopping, and education in Old Ottawa South and the Glebe. Many cyclists are not comfortable riding in mixed traffic, resulting in a high proportion of people cycling on the sidewalk, which can conflict with people walking and using mobility devices. The intersection of Riverside Dr. westbound and Bank St. was one of the intersections identified in the Cycling Safety Review at High-Volume Intersections as a high-risk intersection for people cycling with multiple cycling-involved collisions. The Bank St. Renewal project that extends south of Riverside Dr. to Ledbury Ave. will include cycle tracks. Transit experiences significant delay and reliability issues in the afternoon along Bank Street through Old Ottawa South.
What Are We Proposing?
This project proposes to add a bike lane on each side of Bank St. between Riverside Dr. westbound to just north of Riverdale Ave (across Billings Bridge) along with protected intersection elements at Riverdale Ave. This will result in a reduction of motor vehicle lanes on Bank St. over Billings Bridge from four lanes to three lanes. Based on traffic analysis, the recommended three-lane lane configuration includes one lane in each direction, plus a southbound right turn lane on the approach to Riverside Dr. westbound and a northbound lane on the approach to Riverdale Ave. Some of the key features are shown on the plan below:
Protected intersection elements – set back crossrides, safety islands, bicycle signals
Bike box – allows people cycling to place themselves ahead of motor vehicles for better visibility and to give them priority when making turns
Right turn signal – southbound right turns from Bank St. to Riverside Dr. westbound can only occur when the right turn arrow is shown. This addresses concerns about conflicts between cyclists traveling south and vehicles turning right onto Riverside Dr. westbound
Painted bike lane – Physical measures (such as curbs) are not possible due to required lane widths to accommodate buses and trucks. Flexible bollards are being reviewed for feasibility
Some peak period traffic impacts are expected in the northbound and westbound directions during peak periods. Approximately 6 parking spaces on the east side and 8 spaces on the west side will be impacted by the proposed bike lane.
The project also proposes to add a northbound bus lane during the afternoon peak between just north of Riverdale Ave. to Aylmer Ave. People cycling will also be permitted to use the bus lane. Parking is proposed to be prohibited on the east side of Bank St from 2:00pm to 6:30pm. This will be implemented through pavement markings and signage only; no construction is required.
We encourage you to fill out the survey below by 30 June 2023.
Next Steps
Following this public consultation, the project will be brought to Transportation Committee and City Council along with a summary of public consultation feedback. Your feedback will be considered in refining the project.
What Is the Issue?
Bank St. currently has two lanes in each direction over Billings Bridge with no cycling facilities. It is a major route for people cycling, connecting major destinations on either side of the Rideau River such as the Rideau River pathways, Transitway, Billings Bridge Mall, and employment, shopping, and education in Old Ottawa South and the Glebe. Many cyclists are not comfortable riding in mixed traffic, resulting in a high proportion of people cycling on the sidewalk, which can conflict with people walking and using mobility devices. The intersection of Riverside Dr. westbound and Bank St. was one of the intersections identified in the Cycling Safety Review at High-Volume Intersections as a high-risk intersection for people cycling with multiple cycling-involved collisions. The Bank St. Renewal project that extends south of Riverside Dr. to Ledbury Ave. will include cycle tracks. Transit experiences significant delay and reliability issues in the afternoon along Bank Street through Old Ottawa South.
What Are We Proposing?
This project proposes to add a bike lane on each side of Bank St. between Riverside Dr. westbound to just north of Riverdale Ave (across Billings Bridge) along with protected intersection elements at Riverdale Ave. This will result in a reduction of motor vehicle lanes on Bank St. over Billings Bridge from four lanes to three lanes. Based on traffic analysis, the recommended three-lane lane configuration includes one lane in each direction, plus a southbound right turn lane on the approach to Riverside Dr. westbound and a northbound lane on the approach to Riverdale Ave. Some of the key features are shown on the plan below:
Protected intersection elements – set back crossrides, safety islands, bicycle signals
Bike box – allows people cycling to place themselves ahead of motor vehicles for better visibility and to give them priority when making turns
Right turn signal – southbound right turns from Bank St. to Riverside Dr. westbound can only occur when the right turn arrow is shown. This addresses concerns about conflicts between cyclists traveling south and vehicles turning right onto Riverside Dr. westbound
Painted bike lane – Physical measures (such as curbs) are not possible due to required lane widths to accommodate buses and trucks. Flexible bollards are being reviewed for feasibility
Some peak period traffic impacts are expected in the northbound and westbound directions during peak periods. Approximately 6 parking spaces on the east side and 8 spaces on the west side will be impacted by the proposed bike lane.
The project also proposes to add a northbound bus lane during the afternoon peak between just north of Riverdale Ave. to Aylmer Ave. People cycling will also be permitted to use the bus lane. Parking is proposed to be prohibited on the east side of Bank St from 2:00pm to 6:30pm. This will be implemented through pavement markings and signage only; no construction is required.
We encourage you to fill out the survey below by 30 June 2023.
Next Steps
Following this public consultation, the project will be brought to Transportation Committee and City Council along with a summary of public consultation feedback. Your feedback will be considered in refining the project.
