Amid community concerns over reckless driving in the opening weeks of Main Street reconstruction, the newspaper reached out to Capital Ward Coun. David Chernushenko.
We began by asking if he was aware of the growing number of drivers cutting through Old Ottawa East side streets to avoid rush-hour traffic jams.
Yes, this type of behaviour is unfortunately quite common during a major road reconstruction. People must find alternative routes. Most do so legally and safely, but an unfortunate few exhibit more selfish behaviour.
The good news is that the first few weeks following a closure or detour are the worst. Once the majority of drivers become aware of the closures, they will opt to take different routes, mostly avoiding the entire neighbourhood affected. Some who must continue travelling in the vicinity will find new routes to use, including residential streets that are not accustomed to seeing such volume.
Although we would of course prefer to see no such diverted traffic, it cannot be completely avoided. Indeed, most of us will have used alternative routes in other neighbourhoods to avoid congestion during other such projects in the city. The city must and will, however, take steps to try and minimize dangerous and illegal behaviour.
Do you know if police are monitoring how many cars divert from Main Street on side roads? Are they monitoring the speed of these cars? If not, are there plans to undertake such an effort?
There are plans to monitor traffic and to put in place a variety of temporary traffic calming measures. Speed signs, some physical speed calming measures, as well as additional police surveillance and enforcement are all being planned on a larger scale than what is in place at this early stage.
Do you have advice for people concerned this will become the new normal, once Main Street reconstruction is complete?
The very good news is that temporary behaviour rarely translates into a new long-term habit. It was certainly not the case in the Glebe following Bank Street reconstruction, even though almost all traffic had been diverted down O’Connor for approximately 18 months.
Once Main Street is complete in its new form, few drivers would have any reason to use less direct residential streets. If necessary to address a carry-over effect, I would work with the community to add new restrictions.
