The renewal of infrastructure in Alta Vista has been a priority of mine and I have advocated for increased investment the last several years and have been successful in accelerating timelines of multiple projects and securing new projects. While the City of Ottawa’s Construction and Infrastructure Projects webpage shows some projects underway and planned, the following provides an overview of recently completed projects and planned projects. It does not include repair projects such as sidewalk segments or potholes.

Roads, Sewer, Water and Wastewater

Our ward’s road, sewer, water and wastewater infrastructures were largely constructed in the 1950s and are now reaching the end of its lifespan. Over time, materials age and deteriorate, leading to increased risks of failures, service disruptions, and higher maintenance costs. Renewing and replacing this aging infrastructure ensures we have safe, reliable services in the ward that support community growth, and protect public health and the environment.

Alta Vista Drive Functional Design Study

The City of Ottawa has completed a functional design study for Alta Vista Drive between Faircrest Road and Edge Hill Place in advance of the renewal and replacement of the aging underground utilities and road infrastructure and will be commencing detailed design shortly. The start of this project is dependent on the Bank Street project as it is required to first change out the sewer trunk at Alta Vista Drive and Bank Street. For more information on the status of the renewal of Alta Vista Drive, please see the Alta Vista Drive Q&A on my website or the City’s project engagement webpage.

Delmar Drive and Playfair Drive

New sidewalks, sewer renewal and drainage improvements were constructed on Delmar Drive and Playfair Drive, and three new speed humps were installed on Playfair Drive between Dunkirk Crescent (east) and Delmar Drive in 2025.

Sheffield / Bantree / Edinburgh Watermain

A new watermain and replacement of all existing water services to the property limits is being planned for next year on Sheffield Road, Bantree Street and Edinburgh Place in the Industrial Park. Design is scheduled to begin November 2026, with construction starting the following spring/summer.

 Smyth Road Cycling Safety Improvements and Neighbourhood Bikeway Modifications

The remaining work on this project at Smyth Road/Riverside Hospital and McIraith Bridge was recently completed.

Tremblay Multi-Use Environmental Assessment Study – Planning paused

City Staff began an Environmental Assessment (EA) Study for a Multi-Use Connection between Terminal Avenue (Trainyards) and the Tremblay LRT Station, however the study was suspended in October 2024 due to VIA Rail’s plan to develop their site. Unfortunately, VIA Rail’s plans are not yet known, and it was determined to be impractical to continue with the study until more details are available. To provide an improved connection in the interim, the EA study has identified an opportunity to provide a new multi-use pathway along the east side of Riverside Drive to improve connectivity between Tremblay Road and Terminal Avenue.

Realignment of Othello Avenue / Smyth Road

The realignment of the Smyth Road intersection with Russell Road and Othello Avenue was included as part of the Elmvale Acres Secondary Plan. This is a Development Charges (DC) project that has been included in the 2025 DC Background Study Update, planned for Council approval later this year. Functional design for this project is tentatively planned to begin in 2026 and overall, the project is expected to take three to four years to complete.

Bank Street Renewal, Riverside Drive (Westbound) to Ledbury Avenue

Project Description:

The Bank Street Renewal (Riverside Drive (Westbound) to Ledbury Avenue) Project is revitalizing the road to construct a functioning and safe complete arterial main street with a well-balanced multi-modal transportation network which will cater to vehicles, transit, cyclists and pedestrians. simultaneously reconstructing the sanitary sewer, storm sewer and replacing the distribution watermains within the project limits.

Project Timeline:

The project has been separated into phases. Here is a breakdown of the overall project schedule including limits:

• Phase 1A: Construction was completed in spring 2024.
• Phase 1 (Riverside Drive westbound to Collins Avenue): Construction began in June 2024. Completion anticipated in 2027.
• Phase 2 (Collins Avenue to Ledbury Avenue): Construction to begin following completion of Phase 1.

Canterbury Avenue, Arch Street and Plesser Street – Integrated Road, Sewer and Watermain Project

Project description:

The Canterbury Avenue, Arch Street and Plesser Street integrated road, sewer and watermain project is underway to help the Elmvale neighbourhood alleviate future flooding. Due to the proximity to the sewer, the watermain needed to be replaced and the full road will be reconstructed with new sidewalks, cycle lanes and enhanced traffic calming features.

Project Timeline:

Design completion: Winter 2024
Construction: October 2024 to Summer 2026

Keats / Devon / Pullen – Integrated Road, Sewer and Watermain Project

The City is planning the replacement of the aging watermain and sewers on Keats Avenue (Devon to Chaucer), Devon Street (Keats to Shelley), Chaucer Avenue (Browning to Shelley), Orchid Drive (Shelley to Keats), Browning Avenue (Devon to Chaucer) and Pullen Street (Browning to dead-end). Construction is anticipated to begin in 2028.

Ridgemont / Anoka / Edgehill – Integrated Road, Sewer and Watermain Project

The City of Ottawa will be replacing the aging infrastructure due to poor condition in the Ridgemont neighbourhood:

• Anoka Street from Bank Street to Grasmere Crescent
• Edge Hill Place from Heron Road to Erie Street
• Ridgemont Avenue from Bank Street to Edge Hill Place and Erie Ave from Edge Hill Place to Grasmere Crescent

Full road reconstruction including curbs and sidewalks will be required on Anoka Street, Edge Hill Place, Ridgemont Avenue and Erie Avenue within these limits.

Design is scheduled to occur in September 2026, with construction starting in Spring 2027.

Summit Avenue Integrated Road Renewal – Construction planned

Project Description:

The City of Ottawa is undertaking the design for the replacement and renewal of the existing watermain, sanitary sewer and road infrastructure on Summit Avenue, between Alta Vista Drive and Fairbanks Avenue. It has reached the end of its useful life and requires replacement to continue to provide the required level of service needed. A sidewalk and traffic calming features will additionally be added during this time.

Project Timeline:

Design: Ongoing
Construction: details to come

Valley Drive – Trunk Rehabilitation

The storm sewer trunk on Saunderson Drive is in poor condition, undersized and at the end of its life cycle and needs replacement. This project has been divided it in three phases:

• Phase 1 – downstream section from Foley Ave/Valley Drive to Walkley Rd/St. Laurent (completed in 2020)
• Phase 2 – section from Saunderson Drive/Weston Park to Foley Ave/Valley Drive (completed in 2024)
• Phase 3 – upstream section from northern dead end of Saunderson to Weston Park (beginning September 2025)

The current assignment is for Phase 3 – rehabilitation of the STM Sewer Trunk on Saunderson Dr. from Pleasant Park Road to the dead-end north of Halstead Street. Beginning in September 2025, geotechnical and subsurface utility investigations will be conducted. Detailed design work will follow, and full construction is anticipated to start in 2027.

2025 Resurfacing Projects

• Innes Park way from Sheffield to Dead End – Completed
• St-Laurent Blvd from Railway Overpass North Limit to Tremblay Road – Completed
• Walkley Rd from 80m East of Banton St to 130m East of Banton Street – Completed
• Walkley Road from Audrey Avenue to 100m West of Heron Road – Completion expected by end of September

2026 Resurfacing Projects

• Elsett Drive from West Dead End to Dunelm Street – Resurfacing planned for 2026 construction
• Dunelm Street from Elsett Drive to Valley Drive – Resurfacing planned for 2026 construction
• Neil Way from Riverside Drive to Chalmers Road – Resurfacing planned for 2026 construction
• Logan Avenue from Roger Road to Balmoral Place – on hold, watermain renewal needs identified
• Ayers Avenue from CLOSURE to Alta Vista Drive (and Siblings Pl from Walkley Rd to Closure) – under review by active transportation planning, resurfacing schedule tentatively 2026 if no road modifications, but more likely 2027 construction.
• Roger Road from Alta Vista Drive to Highland Terrace – on hold, watermain renewal needs identified
• Oxbow Avenue from Pleasant Park Road to DEAD END – on hold, watermain renewal needs identified

Walkley Road Regrading

From July to November 2025, (between Lancaster Road and Russell Road) is undergoing regrading to prevent ponding.  This will address ditching, infill pipe replacement, heavy landscaping and small simple underground works.

Transportation Master Plan

On July 23, 2025, the Transportation Master Plan’s Capital Infrastructure Plan was approved, as amended by City Council. The Plan identifies the transit, road, and active transportation investments that are required to support Ottawa’s growth and achieve the City’s objectives. Here are some of the many projects that will be coming to Alta Vista – Ward 18.

St-Laurent Boulevard Transit Priority Corridor

An Environmental Assessment (EA) Study for the St-Laurent Boulevard Transit Priority Corridor has been conducted from Hemlock Road to Innes Road / Industrial Avenue. The EA study has led to the development of a Preliminary Recommended Plan that will improve the road for all users.

Due to the length of the corridor, this project has been broken into five segments. The segment that will directly impact Ward 18 is Segment 5: South of Tremblay Road to Innes Road and Industrial Avenue. Based on the Preliminary Recommended Plan, the preferred design for this segment would include pedestrian and cycling facilities, bus stop and streetscaping. Bus only lanes are also planned, which will require widening of the road.

For more information on this project, you can visit the project webpage or view the June 2025 Open House Display Board.

Active Transportation Projects

In April 2023, Ottawa City Council approved the Transportation Master Plan’s Active Transportation Project list. The projects are intended to address critical missing links in the City’s active transportation networks. This section identifies which projects have been identified as a priority and are intended to be delivered within the first phase or at a later phase. The first phase of implementation is expected to be completed over the next 7 to 10 years; however, these timelines are subject to change and are dependent on future funding levels. Projects that have been identified for the next decade are as follows:

Active Transportation Projects – Cycling

• Alta Vista East-West Route (First Phase) – Multi-use pathway segments forming an east-west route within Alta Vista ward.
• Alta Vista North-South Route (First Phase) – Multi-use pathway segments along the north-south Alta Vista Western Pathway corridor alignment.
• Elmvale-Canterbury Neighbourhood Bikeway (First Phase) – Minor improvements to this north-south route between Kilborn Ave and Coronation Ave.
• Tremblay Road to Terminal Avenue (First Phase) – Multi-use pathway from Tremblay Road, along the east side of Riverside Drive, ascending to Terminal Avenue.

Active Transportation Projects – Pedestrian

• Belfast Rd Sidewalk (First Phase) – Design and implementation of a protected intersection at Belfast Road and Trainyards Drive, including bidirectional cycling facility and new sidewalk segments along Belfast Road.  New sidewalk segments are to be constructed east of the intersection between 805 Belfast and St. Laurent Blvd. Construction expected to begin October 2025 until early summer 2026.
• Dakota Ave Sidewalk (First Phase) – Sidewalk along Dakota Ave from Halifax Dr to Foley Ave
• Hawthorne Park Sidewalks (First Phase) – Sidewalk along Tupper Ave from Russell Rd to Joliffe St with pathway connection to St. Luke’s School. An additional sidewalk along Joliffe St and Melfort St from Tawney Rd to Walkley Rd.
• Blossom Dr Sidewalk (First phase) – Sidewalk along Blossom Dr from Kilborn Ave to Begonia Ave. Sidewalk on Begonia Ave from Applewood Park pathway.

Traffic Calming

Haig Drive Traffic Calming

Traffic calming measures along Haig Drive are currently being implemented to improve conditions for all road users by encouraging more appropriate driver behaviour and increasing safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

For details and maps of the plans, please visit the City’s project webpage.

Othello Avenue Accelerated Traffic Calming Study

An accelerated Neighbourhood Traffic Calming study is underway on Othello Avenue between Smyth Road and Pleasant Park Road to address speeding concerns raised by residents. To view the proposed plan for this project and to read the 2024 Public Engagement Feedback Report, you can visit the project webpage.

Halifax Drive Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Study

A Neighbourhood Traffic Calming study is being conducted along the length of Halifax Drive (Canterbury Avenue / Saunderson Drive and Walkley Road) in response to traffic and speeding concerns raised by residents. For more information and to view the proposed concept plan, you can visit the project webpage.

2025 Speed Humps Projects – All to be constructed this Fall

• Othello Avenue between Hamlet Road Pleasant Park Road (5 Speed Humps)
• Blossom Drive between Kilborn Avenue and Fanshaw Avenue (3 Speed Humps)
• Tawney Road between Dwight Cres and Furby Ave (1 Speed Hump)

Parks and Recreation

Alda Burt Park

A basketball court is being added to Alda Burt Park to expand the park’s recreational uses. It is expected to be installed in Spring 2026.

Sandalwood Park

Sandalwood Park is getting a makeover. The following amenities and equipment are being added and/or upgraded:

• Play area (will be upgraded and all play structures including slide and sand box will be replaced)
• Swing set (will be replaced and relocated to the play area)
• Splash pad (to be added)
• Pathway lights (to be added)

Construction will begin in October 2025.

Hawthorne Park

The swings at Hawthorne Park are slated for replacement in 2028 with the design to begin in 2027.

Confederation Park

A splashpad is in the works for Confederation Park at Walkley Road and Russell Road. The anticipated timeline for this project is for consultation to begin in the fall, the tender in February, and for construction to commence in Spring 2026. If all goes accordingly, the splashpad will be ready for June 2026 when the kids begin their summer break.

The Ottawa Hospital – Riverside Campus

The MUP pathway through the park has been completed. Residents are already accessing it. The balance of remaining works will be to install exercise stations along park and general landscaping improvements. Design work and public consultation is anticipated in early 2026 and for construction to begin by the end of 2026.

Community Facilities and Libraries

Heron Road Community Centre

I am excited to share that City staff have been successful in transitioning all the clients out of the Heron Road Community Centre and it is set to reopen to the community this September. City staff will be on-site over the coming weeks to support clean-up efforts, with the centre reopening on a “staggered basis” as cleanup and renovation work is completed. It is our hope that the Seniors’ Centre will reopen on the second floor as early as mid-September. The parking lot is also currently getting a much-needed resurfacing and re-construction of the concrete curbs throughout the site.

Canterbury Recreation Complex

Brian Kilrea Arena – The changerooms have undergone an upgrade to comply with City of Ottawa Accessibility Design Standards.

Pool and Pool Deck – Slated to be re-tiled and the pool waterproofed alongside the pool deck in November 2025.

Fire Separations – Design and construction of fire code separation between common areas in July 2025.

Canterbury Park – Expedited drainage project to design and implement an earth-berm feature and ditch inlets along the east side of the Canterbury Park to retain the surface runoff in the park area and to protect the properties facing Plesser St. Design is slated to begin September 2025 and construction in November 2025.

Jim Durrell Recreation Centre

Parking Lot and Laneway

• Replacement of the deteriorated concrete curbs and asphalt in the parking lot and lane.
• Removal of all interlocking stone pathways, which will be substituted with either concrete or asphalt to ensure a uniform and durable walking surface.
• Accessible seating will be installed at the main entrance.
• Replacement of site lighting.

This work is anticipated to begin in Spring 2026.

Viewing Platform

Detailed design for upgrades to the accessible viewing platform in both rinks, as well as interior accessible routes, scheduled for Spring 2026.