Alta Vista Transportation Corridor Q&A
Over the last five years, City staff have been working on the updated version of the Transportation Master Plan (TMP), a draft of which was released at the end of March 2025. Included in this report were recommendations from City staff for the Alta Vista Transportation Corridor (AVTC).
Q: Was the AVTC removed from the Transportation Master Plan?
A: No, the Alta Vista segment of the AVTC was not removed from Transportation Master Plan (TMP). However, no funding has been recommended from City Staff for the AVTC, meaning the lands can continue to be held and be available as greenspace, as they are now.
Q: What do you mean by the Alta Vista “segment”? Isn’t the AVTC one complete project?
For the sake of the TMP, staff separated the AVTC into separate segments, as follows:
North section (Nicholas Street/Highway 417 interchange to Riverside Drive)
- No transportation facilities
- Two-lane road or four-lane road with buses in mixed traffic
South section (Riverside Drive to Smyth and Smyth to Walkley Road)
- Active transportation only
- Two-lane Transitway, connecting to the Southeast Transitway and Line 1 at Hurdman Station
- Two-lane road with buses in mixed traffic
- Two lane Transitway plus two-lane road
- Four lane road
- Considers Stage 1 Hospital Link Road that has been constructed as a two-lane road
Note: all options include active transportation facilities (walking and cycling)
Q: Why wasn’t this segment considered for removal?
A: This segment could still be considered as a route for eventual transit, emergency vehicles, or as an alternative route to reduce pressure on Alta Vista Drive and St. Laurent Boulevard. However, it is important to note that there is currently insufficient funding to implement those uses. By keeping this land in the TMP, it can continue to be used for the time being as it has been, with greenspace and multi-use active pathways.
Q: Why wouldn’t you advocate for this to be park land?
Through the TMP, turning this location into park land isn’t an option. It is likely this project won’t be built until past 2046, so it is important to keep this space in the TMP, so we can continue to have full access to the greenspace and the Allotment Gardens for another twenty years. If the segment were to be removed from the TMP, the land could be placed up for development. All city lands go through a disposal process.
Q: The north section was recommended for removed from the TMP. Will it become a park?
If you look at GeoOttawa, you will note that part of the lands have already been zoned for housing. Another portion of these lands was recently considered for a top five site for a newcomer reception centre. Removal from the TMP does not guarantee an option for greenspace. It is also important to note that the lands in the north section are severely contaminated and hold no recreational value.
Q: When do you expect the AVTC to be built?
I do not expect there will be any recommendation until past 2046.