Kanata LRT EA - Bayshore to Palladium

[rocketphish]

Originally Posted by eltodesukane

"Why light rail transit will completely bypass the high-tech corridor in Kanata North where thousands of people work in the west end of Ottawa
and why a LRT station is planned near the Canadian Tire Centre that may cease to exist in the not too distant future
were among the issues raised by residents... "
"The plans for the Kanata expansion are still earmarked for as far out as 2031... "
https://www.ottawacommunitynews.com/news...ay-and-relies-on-funding-coming-through/

I think it's worth putting the entire article here, as this newspaper will soon cease to exist.

LRT target route into west still years away and relies on funding coming through
Open house reviews plans for LRT’s route into Stittsville and Kanata

by Brian Dryden, Stittsville News
Dec 12, 2017

Why light rail transit will completely bypass the high-tech corridor in Kanata North where thousands of people work in the west end of Ottawa and why a LRT station is planned near the Canadian Tire Centre that may cease to exist in the not too distant future were among the issues raised by residents at an open house into the city’s preferred LRT route into Kanata that is still more than a decade away from becoming reality.

City representatives — both staff and councillors for Kanata and Stittsville — and staff of companies involved in the planning process for the eventual LRT expansion into Kanata attended a public open house and question and answer session at the Kanata Recreation Complex Dec. 7 to explain the rational for the route that now appears to be the preferred way to hook up the western end of Ottawa to the city’s new light rail transit system.

The plans for the Kanata expansion are still earmarked for as far out as 2031, although if funding from other levels of government comes through earlier, the city wants to be ready with a plan to put into action.

The preferred option is the most direct route to the Canadian Tire Centre, just north of Highway 417 to Palladium Drive. Staff have also included the possibility of extending the line down Maple Grove Road to Hazeldean Road in Stittsville.

There is no funding available for the Kanata-Stittsville portion as of yet, but the city is hoping the provincial and federal governments will pitch in for the cost of a western extension, which could begin construction any time after 2023, when light-rail is expected to reach the Moodie station.

David Hooper of Parsons, one of the companies working on the project, said that the addition of the Maple Grove and Hazeldean Road stations in Stittsville may not be completed at the same time as the project running to the CTC, as it depends on how much funding is available.

“They may be completed later,” Hooper said, but added that concerns raised at the public meeting about the service to Kanata’s high tech corridor would be handled by buses.

A plan to create a Transitway style route along March Road in Kanata to shuttle people to Kanata North’s high tech business corridor and the LRT station earmarked for Eagleson Rd. has already been approved.

Residents at the public meeting also questioned why a station would go beside the existing Canadian Tire Centre, even though the Ottawa Senators hope to move downtown to Lebreton Flats in the coming years.

Hooper said regardless of whether there is a hockey arena at the site in the future, the area is a prime location for development and the idea is to have LRT stations act as development hubs along its route.

“Those lands are extremely valuable for development. If that (arena) disappears, it is a prime site for intense development in the future,” he said.

The federal government and City of Ottawa announced last year it would split the estimated $3 million cost for the Kanata LRT environmental assessment that is currently under way thanks to a fast-tracked Stage 2 from Tunney’s Pasture to Moodie Station, which is set for service by 2023.

Stittsville Coun. Shad Qadri said staff will work on preparing a report to the Transportation Committee for Spring 2018 with projected costs and phasing plan.

The city’s Angela Taylor said residents still can comment on the plan.

“There is still time, this is not it.”

by Brian Dryden
Email: [email protected]

https://www.ottawacommunitynews.com/news...ay-and-relies-on-funding-coming-through/