In recent days there have been a number of updates regarding the work on the Southwest Transitway extension and Riocan’s Marketplace Mall.  I have received a copy of the work order to commence Phase Two of the Southwest Transitway extension that will see work being done within the Marketplace Mall.   City staff have assured me that traffic interruptions will be minimal with alternate routes available to bypass construction.

As you may know, the Southwest Transitway extension is part of the Federal / Provincial Stimulus Fund.  It will create a new transit station within the Marketplace Mall and connect directly with Fallowfield Station to the north.

Please be advised that due to the construction, some detours will occur for existing OC Transpo routes through the Marketplace mall.  Route 95 Orleans and route 181 Bayshore will be removed from the stops on westbound Marketplace and northbound Greenbank, (north of Marketplace) and will be moved to the bus stops on Riocan Drive.  You may notice as well that Route 73 will be making a detour along Marketplace Avenue to access the Strandherd Transit Station but will not be stopping along the detour.  These detours are as a result of the buses not being able to make a left turn into the Strandherd Transit station from Strandherd Drive.  Signage will be posted at the affected stops to advise transit users of the changes.  Please check www.octranspo.com  regularly for detour updates.

Also within the Marketplace Mall, no parking signs will be installed along Riocan Drive, south of Marketplace Drive, to enforce the existing no parking zones at the intersections.  These zones were previously marked with paint, which has not proven to be effective.  The work order has been issued to install No Parking signs for 9 metres north and south of each intersection to improve sightlines in either direction.

“Travelling around Strandherd and Greenbank will be tricky for the next while so be alert when you are out and about in Barrhaven,” cautions Councillor Jan Harder. “No doubt about it, over the past few years with so much activity going on in Barrhaven, it has been a trial. Hang on to your hats folks!” The City of Ottawa is working with the merchants within the Marketplace Mall and City engineers are meeting regularly with the retailers to ensure their concerns are being addressed and that they are being kept informed of the construction progress.

“This project is important for transit in Barrhaven and will bring consumers directly into the heart of the Marketplace Mall.” said Councillor Steve Desroches. “During this construction stage, I would like to remind everyone that it is still ‘Business as Usual’ in Barrhaven and I encourage residents to continue to support the local merchants.”

With the future completion of the Strandherd Drive extension, the Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge and the widening of Earl Armstrong Road in Riverside South, the Southwest Transitway extension will be the western connection on this key transit corridor.

OC Transpo routes through Marketplace Mall will also be affected by the construction in the area. Residents can visit their website at www.octranspo.com for more information on route changes.  Both Councillors would like to remind residents to watch their speed and drive with care when travelling within the construction areas around and within the Marketplace Mall. For further updates on this and other infrastructure projects in the Barrhaven area, please visit www.janharder.com or www.stevedesroches.ca.