Ongoing LRT construction frustrates Hwy. 174 commuters
CTV
Ongoing LRT construction in Ottawa's east end has some commuters unhappy with lane reductions along Highway 174.
Ongoing LRT construction in Ottawa's east end has some commuters unhappy with lane reductions along Highway 174.
The reduction near Jeanne d'Arc Boulevard, which a local city councillors calls "absolutely unacceptable," has snarled traffic in the area for the past week. As cars slowly crawl westbound along the highway, frustration is building for many commuters like John Klatt.
"It's the parking lot known as Orleans. Anybody trying to get out of the area is trapped in this," Klatt said. "It takes a good half-hour sometimes between here in Montreal Road, normally it takes maybe two minutes, if that."
Klatt says although there are other routes to avoid the highway such as, St. Joseph Boulevard and Montreal and Innes roads, they aren't any better than simply waiting for the clog to clear.
The problem with this traffic pinch-point is in the planning, residents say. The lane reduction was needed to allow LRT construction crews safely install drainage infrastructure in the guideway, where Stage 2 trains will eventually run on tracks between the highway.
But the closure, which happened last Wednesday, was not communicated to residents, they say.
"This project has been difficult and intrusive for many Orleans residence, both from a construction impact and a traffic perspective," Coun. Matthew Luloff said. "It is absolutely unacceptable for residence to be dealing with this level of delay during their commute."
