KANATA BUS SERVICE CHANGES MEAN BETTER SERVICE

Starting next September, residents in many parts of Kanata will see better bus service. Changes were announced by OC Transpo this month and were a result of the Transplan 2006 process.

Service in Katimavik-Hazeldean and Glen Cairn will be improved by changes to the route 96. Currently, the route 96 route between Kanata and Stittsville uses Terry Fox to get from the Centrum to Hazeldean Road. As of September, the route 96 will start using Castlefrank. In addition, service frequency will be increased.

Service on Terry Fox will continue to be provided by the route 118.

Residents of the section of Bridlewood will receive improved service as a result of the switching of the route 164 and 169. This will significantly reduce most travel times.

In North Kanata, a compromise proposal that was put forward during the consultations was adopted to address the concerns of both residents of Briarbrook/Morgan’s Grant and Penfield Drive. Penfield will still have bus service with the route 65. The route 60, serving Briarbrook/Morgan’s Grant, is speeded up by being removed from Penfield.

All of these changes were the result of people taking the time to make suggestions about how to improve bus service in Kanata. I would like to thank everyone who participated.

TERRY FOX OVERPASS UPDATE

For most of the last four years all or part of Terry Fox has been under construction. Understandably, people are keen to see the work completed.

Work on the widening of the overpass is supposed to be completed in September, 2006. I asked staff for an update recently and was assured that the project was on schedule.

September, 2006 has been the target date for completion since work began. The project was timed so that construction would only stretch over one winter.

Work on the new concrete section of the bridge is supposed to be finished in late July. However, once that happens a “quiet time” of 50 to 60 days is required while the cables in the new deck are stressed and the concrete cures. At the end of the “quiet time” the bridge will be lowered into its final position.

While there have been four lanes on the Terry Fox Overpass for the last two years, the lanes were narrower than the lanes on most city streets and bridges. The overpass widening will improve safety with wider lanes and space for pedestrians and cyclists.

TREVOR VANCE MEMORIAL PARK OPENS

It was a pleasure to join residents of Rural Kanata for the opening of Trevor Vance Memorial Park last weekend. The park is one of many being added to our community to ensure our recreation facilities keep pace with growth.

In keeping with the Kanata tradition of recognizing people in our community, the park was named as a tribute to Trevor Vance, who lived nearby. The area was the original homestead for his family.

WORKING FULL-TIME FOR KANATA

I appreciate the chance to hear from you about issues affecting our community. You can reach me at 580-2474 (office), 580-2514 (fax), or peggy.feltmate@ottawa.ca