19 Aug uOttawa pedestrian and cycling underpass to re-open August 22
The City of Ottawa will re-open the pedestrian and cycling tunnel at uOttawa on Monday, August 22.
The tunnel, which passes under Nicholas Street and the Transitway between uOttawa and Colonel By Drive, was closed in early May to permit the safe demolition of the former transit station and construction of the new uOttawa light rail transit station.
The City had committed to having the tunnel re-open in time for the fall when many members of the public will be returning to work and school. Although the uOttawa site is still under construction, the passageway is now safe for users.
When the uOttawa Station is complete, the pedestrian tunnel will be integrated into the station concourse level, creating a more welcoming and upgraded space. The lower entrance to the station will link to the tunnel, the University of Ottawa plaza and Colonel By Drive, resulting in better connectivity and a more positive experience for users.
The tunnel is part of the City’s Cross-Town Bikeway network, a system of seven bicycle routes designed to provide a safer, continuous path for cyclists in the core area. It provides uOttawa and Sandy Hill users with convenient access to the Colonel By pathway and the Corktown Bridge over the Rideau Canal.
Every effort was made to minimize the time that the tunnel had to be closed. The City of Ottawa would like to thank the students and the residents for their patience throughout the summer, as we continue to build the new uOttawa Station and improve pedestrian and cycling access in the future.