It's budget time for infrastructure. The city is moving forward with a $250,000 pilot project for bus lanes on Bank Street, one of Ottawa's busiest transit corridors, despite fierce opposition from local businesses concerned about losing 17 parking spaces. Meanwhile, Manor Park residents successfully blocked sidewalk installation on their streets, arguing for a comprehensive neighborhood transportation study instead. The committee also addressed urgent school safety concerns after a student was struck by a car in Barrhaven.

Topics Discussed

MANOR PARK SIDEWALK CONTROVERSY: A deeply divisive debate erupted over installing sidewalks on five Manor Park streets during a $122.9 million infrastructure renewal project. Over 90% of affected residents opposed the sidewalks, citing concerns about neighborhood character, tree preservation, and accessibility for mobility device users. However, accessibility advocates, parents, and physicians testified that sidewalks are essential for child safety and wheelchair access. The council ultimately deferred the sidewalk installation, directing staff to conduct a comprehensive neighborhood transportation study by Q4 2026 and prioritize sidewalk connections to Manor Park Public School instead. Councillor King stated: "Manor Park will experience more transportation change in the next 10 to 15 years than it's seen in the previous 50."

BANK STREET BUS LANE PILOT: After hearing from 42 delegations, council approved a one-year pilot project starting summer 2027 to implement time-of-day bus lanes on Bank Street between Highway 417 and the Rideau Canal. The $250,000 project will remove 17 on-street parking spaces and extend peak-period parking restrictions affecting 146 additional spaces. Routes 6 and 7, the city's second and third busiest bus routes serving 6,900 daily riders, currently experience delays 40% of the time. Transit advocates pushed for 24/7 bus lanes in both directions, while business owners warned of devastating economic impacts. The Glebe BIA reported that 80 of 290 businesses signed a petition opposing the design. Staff confirmed they are "not aware of studies supporting claims that losing on-street parking for transit measures directly results in sustained business revenue loss."

SCHOOL SAFETY EMERGENCY: Following a student being struck by a car on March 13th, 2026, while leaving St. Juan Diego Elementary School in Barrhaven West, council approved making a temporary all-way stop permanent at Flagstaff Drive and Segnis Street. The intersection will receive a pedestrian crossing and required accessibility features. Councillor Hill noted the area is "one of the fastest growing wards in Ottawa" with "hundreds of houses going up on an annual basis." Staff were directed to report back in the 2027 road safety action plan with options for additional support for high-growth wards around schools.

SPEED ENFORCEMENT TOOLS STRIPPED: Council expressed frustration over provincial Bill 56 removing automated speed enforcement cameras that had shown "sustained and continuous compliance with posted speed limits over many years." Staff were directed to report speed data collected since the cameras were removed at the April 2026 committee meeting. A councillor stated: "We've made commitments to our residents who are deeply concerned about speeding in their neighborhoods...the province continues to strip away what we had hoped to use for the road safety action plan."

SIDEWALK COST INVESTIGATION: A formal inquiry was submitted demanding staff explain why standalone sidewalk construction costs $500,000-$700,000 compared to $150,000-$180,000 when integrated with road renewal projects—a difference of up to $550,000. Staff must provide detailed methodology, comparable project examples, and historical cost comparisons within 60 days.

Motions

Passed: - Manor Park Integrated Infrastructure Renewal Project: Defer sidewalk construction pending comprehensive neighborhood transportation study (Q4 2026 report-back); redirect $180,000 to prioritize pedestrian connections to Manor Park Public School - Bank Street Active Transportation and Transit Priority Feasibility Study: Approve one-year pilot project for time-of-day bus lanes starting summer 2027; develop comprehensive business impact monitoring plan; investigate north-south cycling routes on Percy, Craig, Lyon, and O'Connor streets - St. Juan Diego Elementary School Safety: Make temporary all-way stop at Flagstaff Drive and Segnis Street permanent; install pedestrian crossing with accessibility features - Speed Zoning Policy Update: Staff to report status at April 2026 committee meeting - Automated Speed Enforcement Impact Study: Staff to report speed data since camera removal at April 2026 meeting - 4th Avenue Parking: Increase parking duration from 1 hour to 2 hours between Percy Street and Bank Street - Large Quadricycle Pilot Project: Approved without discussion - Road Murals Motion: Approved without discussion

Rejected: - Councillor Lulof's motion requiring two-thirds business consent for Bank Street changes (failed 2-9)

Attendees

The transcript does not provide a complete list of councillors present. Those identified include: - Councillor King (Manor Park ward) - Councillor Troster - Councillor Kavanagh - Councillor Menard - Councillor Lulof - Councillor Gower - Councillor Johnson - Councillor Divine - Councillor Plant - Councillor Brockington - Councillor Scowski - Councillor Hill - Vice Chair Kent - The Chair (name not specified)