Within the centre of Ottawa, the Rideau Canal attracts tourists and locals alike, who make multi-modal use of the waterway and the adjacent pathways and parkways. The Rideau Canal Corridor has one major shortcoming - it poses a barrier to mobility across it. Outside the City Core, but within the Central Area, there are only three bridges within a 4.5 km distance. This separation is manageable by motorized vehicle, but is significant when considering other modes of transportation. As early as 1984, with initial development of the bus rapid transit system, there was agreement to provide a pedestrian crossing linking the Sandy Hill community, University of Ottawa and the Campus Transitway Station east of the Canal, with the Centretown employment, residential and retail areas west of the Canal. The benefits being both economic and social. It would take another 20 years to achieve this pedestrian connection because of the divergent views and objectives of the City, Parks Canada (owners of the Canal) and the National Capital Commission (owners of adjacent land). For the covering abstract of this conference see ITRD number E
Samenvatting