December 12, 2019 • Volume 34, No. 14
Next edition December 19
L’édition de cette semaine à l’intérieur...
Public gets first look at LRT Stage 2 plans
Donner the reindeer provides a perfect frame for a presentation by Orléans MP Marie-France Lalonde and Orleans-Cumberland food bank coordinator Nicole Perras to Ottawa Fire Services representative Denis Charbonneau. FRED SHERWIN PHOTO
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By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star Area residents got their first look at the future east end expansion of the city’s light rail transit system on Nov. 6 which drew mixed reviews. Most were happy at the prospect of having the Confederation Line extended from the Blair Station to Trim Road, but a number of people had questions about the lack of parking at the Jeanne d’Arc and Orléans Blvd. stations, the future connectivity to local bus routes and the decision to limit Hwy. 174 to two lanes in either direction once the LRT extension is operational. It had been assumed by many that the LRT would allow the existing bus lanes to be converted to High Occupancy Vehicle or HOV lanes. In fact, the Environmental Assessment conducted in anticipation of the LRT extension included plans for three
lanes of traffic in either direction on the 174. However, according to Cumberland Ward councillor Stephen Blais, such a plan will depend on increased funding from the province. Since that isn’t anticipated for the foreseeable future, the current plan only calls for two lanes in either direction. The Confederation Line East Extension will include 12 kilometres of rail and five new stations. The extension will be built along the median of the highway to contain costs, minimize community impacts and land requirements and provide optimum connectivity to the surrounding communities. The extension will also improve transit service to various mixed use and commercial areas such as Gloucester Centre, the Orléans Town Centre, the Canotek and Taylor Creek business parks, St. Joseph Blvd. and Place d’Orléans. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
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