2.             NARROW SIDEWALK - METCALFE STREET

 

TROTTOIR ÉTROIT - RUE METCALFE

 

 

 

Committee Recommendations

 

That Council request City staff to:

 

1.         Consider removing all street signs from the narrow portion of the East side of Metcalfe Street;

 

2.         Consider widening this sidewalk and possibly adding a bike lane, by either narrowing the four vehicular lanes or by removing the underused Eastern Northbound lane of vehicular traffic; and

 

3.         Report back to the PTAC at a minimum every three months on progress, until the issue is resolved.

 

 

Recommandations du comité

 

Que le Conseil demande au personnel de la Ville :

 

1.         D’envisager la possibilité de retirer toutes les enseignes de rue de la partie étroite du côté est de la rue Metcalfe;

 

2.         D’envisager la possibilité d’élargir ce trottoir et d’y ajouter une voie cyclable, en rétrécissant les quatre voies pour les véhicules automobiles ou en supprimant la voie pour les véhicules automobiles circulant en direction nord du côté est, qui est sous-utilisée;

 

3.         De présenter un rapport d’étape au Comité consultatif sur les piétons et le transport en commun au moins tous les trois mois, jusqu’à ce que la question soit résolue.

 

 

 

Documentation

 

1.         Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee report dated 28 April 2010 (ACS2010-CCV-PTA-0001).

2.         Extract of Draft Minute, 5 May 2010


Report to/Rapport au :

 

Transportation Committee

Comité des transports

 

and Council / et au Conseil

 

28 April 2010/ le 28 avril 2010

 

Submitted by/Soumis par : Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee/

Comité consultatif sur les piétons et le transport en commun

 

Contact Person/Personne ressource : Kelly Sammon,

Advisory Committee Coordinator/Coordonnatrice du Comité consultatif

 (613) 580-2424 x 28828, kelly.sammon@ottawa.ca

 

Somerset (14)

Ref N°: ACS2010-CCV-PTA-0001

 

 

SUBJECT:

NARROW SIDEWALK - METCALFE STREET

 

OBJET :

TROTTOIR ÉTROIT - RUE METCALFE

 

 

REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

 

The Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC) recommends that the Transportation Committee recommend Council request City staff to:

 

a)                  Consider removing all street signs from the narrow portion of the East side of Metcalfe Street;

 

b)                 Consider widening this sidewalk and possibly adding a bike lane, by either narrowing the four vehicular lanes or by removing the underused Eastern Northbound lane of vehicular traffic; and

 

c)                  Report back to the PTAC at a minimum every three months on progress, until the issue is resolved.

 

RECOMMANDATIONS DU RAPPORT

 

Que le Comité consultatif sur les piétons et le transport en commun recommande au Comité des transports de recommander à son tour au Conseil de demander au personnel de la Ville :

 

a)                  D’envisager la possibilité de retirer toutes les enseignes de rue de la partie étroite du côté est de la rue Metcalfe;

 

b)                 D’envisager la possibilité d’élargir ce trottoir et d’y ajouter une voie cyclable, en rétrécissant les quatre voies pour les véhicules automobiles ou en supprimant la voie pour les véhicules automobiles circulant en direction nord du côté est, qui est sous-utilisée;

 

c)                  De présenter un rapport d’étape au Comité consultatif sur les piétons et le transport en commun au moins tous les trois mois, jusqu’à ce que la question soit résolue.

 

BACKGROUND

 

At its 18 March 2010 meeting, the PTAC discussed the heavy pedestrian flow of traffic on Metcalfe Street and concerns with the width of the sidewalk on the East portion between Albert and Slater Streets.

 

 

DISCUSSION

 

On March 19, 2010, the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee approved the following motion:

 

WHEREAS the new Pedestrian Plan emphasizes the importance of pedestrian, cycling and transit over motor vehicles; and

 

WHEREAS a recent analysis of pedestrian traffic shows the block of Metcalfe Street from Slater Street to Albert Street is one of the most heavily used pedestrian routes in the core; and

 

WHEREAS the sidewalk on the East side of this block largely does not meet the minimum Ottawa sidewalk standards (due to the adjacent NaVCan building and street signage).

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC) recommend that the Transportation Committee recommend that Council request that city staff:

a)      Consider removing all street signs from the narrow portion of the East side; and

b)     Consider widening this sidewalk and adding a bike lane by either reducing or narrowing the less used wide sidewalk on the west side or by removing the underused Eastern Northbound lane of vehicular traffic; and

c)      Report back to the PTAC at a minimum every three months on progress, until the issue is resolved.

 

 

RURAL IMPLICATIONS

 

N/A

 

CONSULTATION

 

Planning and Growth Management

 

There are large numbers of pedestrians along Metcalfe Street during weekdays as it functions as a north-south route linking employees of larger office towers in the eastern part of the downtown core with the major transit stops at Albert/Metcalfe and Slater/Metcalfe.  Survey results from the weekday afternoon period between 3:30-5:30 p.m. show the volume of pedestrians crossing the Metcalfe/Slater intersection, at 5,835 persons, is by far the greatest pedestrian movement volume in the downtown (26% larger than the next busiest intersection at Bank Street and Laurier Avenue West).  The Metcalfe/Albert intersection is the fifth busiest for pedestrians with 4,237 people crossing it during this afternoon period.

 

Staff concur with PTAC’s concern that the sidewalk along Metcalfe Street between these two busy intersections and major transit stops is of an inadequate width given the volume of people using it.  In comparison to the sidewalk level of service included in the Ottawa Cycling Plan (OCP) the sidewalk in this section of Metcalfe is so busy during rush hour that even a casual observer would say it functions at an undesirable level of service (see Document 1).  Also the OCP identifies a requirement for bicycle lanes on the street pair Metcalfe and O’Connor to serve that eastern part of downtown. 

 

Potential sidewalk widenings and cycling lanes are among the subjects that will be addressed in the upcoming Mobility Overlay component of the Downtown Ottawa Urban Design Strategy.  In partnership with the National Capital Commission, this project will focus on the interrelationships among pedestrians, cyclists, transit users and motorists when the Downtown Ottawa Transit Tunnel is implemented.  The Mobility Overlay will examine whether or not various one-way streets in the Downtown can be restored to two-way in the longer term, thereby promoting a friendlier Downtown street environment.  It will also look at opportunities that could be implemented in a shorter-term framework to improve the physical environment for pedestrians, cyclists and transit users.

 

Therefore the Planning and Growth Management Department is supportive of PTAC’s proposal in principle, subject to further review with PW that would take into account traffic management and operation needs during LRT construction.  This review can be done in advance of the mobility overlay exercise but with recognition that future changes in pedestrian volumes would occur when the LRT tunnel becomes operational, as the nearest station entrance is to be located more to the west and north at O’Connor and Albert Streets and hence it will pull pedestrian transit traffic towards that location. When PGM and PW report back on the feasibility of these sidewalk/lane changes on Metcalfe Street, if they were ultimately recommended, the report would also reference how their implementation could be so funded.

 


Public Works

 

A field visit has confirmed that the sidewalk width in the area adjacent to the building is approximately 2.6 m with a 2.0 m clearance between the building and sign channel posts.  These widths exceed minimum design standards for the City of Ottawa sidewalks in the urban area.

 

There are four sign assemblies along the east side of Metcalfe Street between Albert and Slater streets.  Two signs are required to demarcate the existing No Parking/No Stopping/Tow Away zones in effect at various times of the day.  While it is important to retain these signs for their regulatory and informational purposes, staff can review adjusting where possible the location of the signs along the block face.

 

Given the existing lane arrangement, pedestrian movements, traffic volumes, and close proximity to the east-west transit corridors along Albert and Slater streets, detailed traffic analysis and safety studies are required to evaluate the impacts of the recommendations. 

 

Any changes to the roadway geometry will require lighting calculations to ensure the required light levels are being met.  This could include the relocation, addition or removal of existing street lights and underground circuitry.  Any impacts to the existing lighting system cannot be ascertained until the final modified roadway geometry/cross-section has been determined for the road segment in question.

 

Public Works staff will work with the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee to develop and evaluate the impacts of potential options.

 

 

COMMENTS BY THE WARD COUNCILLOR

 

I concur with the recommendations being forwarded by PTAC.  This section of Metcalfe Street is clearly unable to support the current levels of pedestrian traffic.  Thirty years ago a report entitled ‘Pedestrians Downtown’ (Du Toit, Allsopp, Hillier, NCC/City of Ottawa) identified narrow sidewalks as one of the major pedestrian safety issues in the Central Area.  Pending the development of a comprehensive transportation overlay for the Downtown Ottawa Urban Design Strategy, I would support interim measures for this block of Metcalfe between Slater and Albert Streets, including the relocation of impediments such as lighting poles and signage.  I would also support widening the sidewalk to the greatest extent feasible – even an additional 20-30 cm would be an improvement.

 

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

 

No incremental costs are anticipated for PGM staff time to review suggested road modifications.  Staff will report back to Committee on the cost to undertake any physical changes if so recommended.

 

 

LEGAL/RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

 

As the recommendations are that staff “consider” PTAC’s proposed changes, and in light of City staff’s acknowledgement that “further review with PW” be undertaken, and staff’s comment that “detailed traffic analysis and safety studies are required to evaluate the impacts of the [PTAC] recommendations”, there are no legal/risk management impediments to the implementation of this Report’s recommendations.

 

 

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

 

Document 1 - Sidewalk Level of Service

 

 

DISPOSITION

 

Staff to implement City Council’s decision.

 

The PTAC Coordinator to notify the Advisory Committee of City Council’s decision.


DOCUMENT 1

 

Sidewalk Level of Service

 

 


 

 

            NARROW SIDEWALK - METCALFE STREET

            TROTTOIR ÉTROIT - RUE METCALFE

ACS2010-CCV-PTA-0001                                                                             SOMERSET (14)

 

            Bernie Geiger, Member, Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee provided a brief overview of the report before Committee.  He explained that the sidewalk next to the NAV Canada building (situated between Albert and Slater streets), is very narrow and because of the location of bus stops at each end of the block, there are many pedestrians using it during peak periods.  He referred to the City’s policies which speak to pedestrian movement and which seek to encourage this mode of transportation; this block does not meet those policy requirements and directions.  In a series of slides, Mr. Geiger illustrated the number of pedestrians using this narrow stretch of sidewalk, as well as the absence of cars on the lane adjacent to the sidewalk.  He made note of the fact that many pedestrians will use that lane in order to bypass other pedestrians.  Mr. Geiger commented that signs and bicycles being locked to those signs interfere with pedestrian movement.  He believed that Metcalfe Street does not need to be so wide for cars and parking, but there is a need to widen the sidewalk to accommodate pedestrians.  In conclusion, the PTAC recommends the following:

 

Within one month:

·         remove/relocate (most) street signs

·         discourage bike parking against the signs remaining

Medium Term - over the Summer (and before the snow falls):

·         reduce or narrow the underused vehicle lanes on this short block

·         widen the sidewalk

Longer Term:

·         consider other sub-standard, narrow, heavily used sidewalks (could be done as part of DOTT study for pedestrian movement)

·         remove intrusive, fixed advertising signs (Bank Street)

·         discourage bike cycling on sidewalks and parking on narrow sidewalks

 

            While he appreciated the work done by the advisory committee and the changes they are trying to make, Councillor Desroches was concerned about Recommendation c) in their report.  He thought that if approved, the accountability rests with this Committee and he believed staff would keep the advisory committee up to date without being directed.  Mr. Geiger explained that this recommendation stemmed from the fact that in some cases they had not received feedback as a result of recommendations made in the past and offered that such feedback could be in the form of a memo explaining where staff is in the process, et cetera.

 


 

 

 

 

 

            When asked by Councillor Doucet what assurances can be given that something is going to get done, the General Manager of Public Works, John Manconi advised that staff is already looking at the concerns about the signs and he confirmed this would be dealt with before winter.  He added that the City is making strides to widen sidewalks in the city and John Moser, General Manager of Planning and Growth Management indicated that removing one traffic lane on Metcalfe Street would be looked at as part of the Mobility Overlay which will be completed in 12 to 18 months.  Also, there will be studies done as part of the Downtown Ottawa Transit Tunnell that will look at pedestrian movement and while it may not be in the immediate term, it will certainly be looked at over the next few years.

 

            Councillor Doucet emphasized that the concern relates to pedestrian safety as it exists now and he did not see why the City could not be daring and make such bold changes over the summer.  Mr. Manconi interjected by stating that in terms of the operation of that roadway, staff would do the review and analysis with staff in Planning and Growth Management and report back to the Committee.  However, all the information needs to be brought forward so Committee can make an informed decision on the operational impacts, et cetera.

 

            The Chair thanked the delegation for his presentation and asked that he take back to the PTAC the fact that Committee members are very grateful for their advice.

 

The Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC) recommends that the Transportation Committee recommend Council request City staff:

 

a)         Consider removing all street signs from the narrow portion of the East side of Metcalfe Street;

 

b)         Consider widening this sidewalk and possibly adding a bike lane, by either narrowing the four vehicular lanes or by removing the underused Eastern Northbound lane of vehicular traffic; and

 

c)         Report back to the PTAC at a minimum every three months on progress, until the issue is resolved.

 

                                                                                                CARRIED