On October 24, voters in Somerset Ward will elect a new city councillor for 2022-26.
In each issue up to the election, The BUZZ has asked the candidates running in this ward one question about city issues important to this ward.
This month, we ask:
The City of Ottawa’s origin-destination surveys consistently show that walking is a more important mode of transportation in Somerset Ward than anywhere else in the city. What are the worst places to walk in Centretown? What three things would you do to make it easier and safer to travel on foot around Centretown?
Stuart MacKay
Over the past few months, I’ve been talking about the poor condition of our sidewalks here in Somerset Ward. I’ve heard from many residents, especially those who use mobility devices like wheelchairs or walkers, that it has become increasingly hazardous to walk down some of our streets. The city is currently doing a comprehensive sidewalk survey, and if elected, I would prioritize the repair of the worst sidewalks in Somerset Ward so we can have a real livable and walkable neighbourhood.
In addition, we need to think about building more resilient, all-season infrastructure here in Somerset Ward. Consider the red paving stones used in street design over the past decade. While these stones look nice at first, they simply are not durable enough for the daily wear and tear and extreme weather conditions that we face in Ottawa.
The result is paving stones which become loose, cracked, or dislodged, leaving dangerous tripping hazards on sidewalks and at intersections. Because of the amount of labour involved in repairing these paving stones, the end result is a quick but ugly asphalt patch job. When we rebuild streets and intersections, we need to use high-quality materials with a lifespan longer than 2-3 years.
We also need to ensure that our sidewalks are properly plowed during the winter. With so many of our residents walking their kids to school or commuting to work on foot during the winter, we need to prioritize snow clearing on sidewalks here in the downtown area. I’ve seen firsthand residents walking along busy streets like Kent Street or O’Connor Street alongside traffic because the sidewalk isn’t plowed.
In addition, we also must do a better job of snow removal from bus stops, so those who are using public transit don’t need to clamber over snow banks to board their bus.
Finally, if I had to choose the worst place to walk in Somerset Ward, I’d probably have to choose the stretch of Somerset Street West from Kent Street to Lyon Street North. That section has a bit of everything: cracked and broken sidewalks, asphalt patching, and brickwork that makes the entire sidewalk uneven. It’s a challenge to navigate!
Ariel Troster
The true joy of downtown living is being able to walk to restaurants, corner stores and many other destinations. But the sorry state of Ottawa’s sidewalks and pedestrian infrastructure leaves a lot to be desired. Many of our sidewalks are too narrow and full of cracks and patches that serve as tripping hazards. And in the winter, a poor plowing job can leave curb cuts completely inaccessible, making it impossible for people in wheelchairs or using other mobility devices to get around.
The worst places to walk in Centretown? Definitely Kent Street, which is like a four lane highway through our downtown without any protected crossings. The intersection of Gladstone and Bronson is also particularly terrifying. And wherever there is construction is usually a mess, without clear pathways for people to walk in, coupled with unclear signage. We have a lot of work to do.
We need to make our streets more people friendly by slowing car speeds to 30km/hr in all residential zones, adding protected bike lanes that are sufficiently separated from sidewalks, and also prioritize snow clearing on sidewalks in the winter. When we redesign streets, they need to be true complete streets, with room for cyclists and pedestrians. We also need to explore more seasonal pedestrian-only streets and car-free streets near schools. A walkable city is a better city for everyone.
Brandon Russell
As a Somerset ward resident who doesn’t own a car, I understand the struggle that walkers have to take. A grocery store can be well over a kilometre walk within the ward, transit isn’t on an accessible line, it is faster to walk than find the bus schedule. Yet at the same time our sidewalks are falling apart, our seniors can’t walk along Gladstone or most of the residential streets in our community. They end up stuck with the choice of using our crumbling infrastructure or spending exorbitant amounts of time trying to figure out our transit system that is an inescapable maze. What Somerset needs is new infrastructure that is built to last, this includes new sidewalks built above standard, more cycling lines and cycling safety. Somerset Ward also has the lowest tree coverage in Ottawa at only 22 percent, in the 40+ degree heat it isn’t only uncomfortable to walk, it is downright dangerous if you are in an at-risk population. On top of all of this we need a truly walkable city – one where you can shop, eat and play. When we have that done we can achieve a city where it is safe, comfortable and sensible to walk downtown!