“Bridge barricades ramped up after Transport Canada questions” < https://goo.gl/aP7oTg >
By all indications the public has a strong desire to cross the Ottawa River at Lemieux Island via the Prince of Wales Bridge, and to enjoy its spectacular views of the Parliamentary Precinct.The public has been, through
The public has been, through behaviour and requests, asking that this bridge be adapted to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists. At the same time, Transport Canada has statutory responsibilities for safety and regulatory integrity because this is a legally active federal railway. (It is not discontinued or ‘defunct’; it’s just been unmaintained.) The City of Ottawa has been the bridge’s owner since they acquired it in 2005.The lingering status quo, which puts
The lingering status quo, which puts broad public demand for a pathway at odds with primary public safety, is a completely unnecessary problem, and a logical, effective and environmental solution has been put forward.
In autumn 2015 Moose Consortium Inc. submitted a formal engineering plan to the City of Ottawa and to Transport Canada < https://goo.gl/oMEzJh > to fully finance and carry out the rehabilitation of this bridge, complete with a safe pedestrian trail cantilevered off the downstream side, with views to the Islands, the Zibi lands, Lebreton, Gatineau parkland and Parliament, and a safe cycling trail cantilevered off the upstream side. Moose’s plan includes a structure on Lemieux Island for pedestrians to safely cross over the track as well.To
To date, the City of Ottawa has not responded to this proposal.Instead, there has been insecure and expensive fencing built across the track, thus attempting to block it from trains as well as from pedestrians. This is also inconsistent with federal regulatory obligations, and is inconsistent with the 2013 Interprovincial Transit Strategy, by the Cities of Ottawa & Gatineau and the NCC, which all called for passenger rail service across that bridge by 2018.
Instead, there has been insecure and expensive fencing built across the track, thus attempting to block it from trains as well as from pedestrians. This is also inconsistent with federal regulatory obligations, and is inconsistent with the 2013 Interprovincial Transit Strategy, by the Cities of Ottawa & Gatineau and the NCC, which all called for passenger rail service across that bridge by 2018.
Moose Consortium Inc. has put forward a sound solution that would benefit travelers by rail, and pedestrians and cyclists, putting back into service the only rail link between the Ontario and Quebec sides of the National Capital Region.
It’s time to let your elected representatives know that Moose’s Rails-WITH-Trails solution is the logical way forward, meeting public expectations and consistent with Interprovincial Transit Strategy. Moose should be provided the opportunity to implement its project, and politicians should listen to and support public wishes.