Vanier Road fails traffic-load study, data released to public three years later

The traffic volume is critically dense at the Vanier Road and Allumettières Boulevard intersection. This well-known situation was confirmed on February 7 during a plenary meeting, when the city unveiled a long-awaited study prepared by the engineering firm Cima+ in 2014.

With considerable commercial and residential development on and near Vanier Road and an additional 10,400 residential units and 6,500 new jobs projected by 2031, the goal of this traffic and planning study was to determine the traffic conditions along the north-south artery.

As explained by Catherine Marchand, Gatineau’s Planning Director, the $50,000 study found that the situation is “critical” at the busy Vanier Road and Allumettières Boulevard intersection during rush hours. The rating attributed by the firm was “F”; the worst level.

The four corners of that intersection are now occupied by a dozen businesses and additional retail space is under construction.

The study also outlined that the Vanier and McConnell Roads intersection and the Vanier and Aylmer Roads intersection are near full capacity during rush hours, especially during the afternoon commute. They received “E” and “D” ratings, respectively. Meanwhile, residential projects in the Plateau continue to expand.

The good news, however, is that the traffic situation is more acceptable at other major intersections on Vanier Road, such as at Lucerne Boulevard.

 

According to the presentation, the city does plan on widening Vanier Road, but not anytime soon. The land use management plan projects that in over 5 years’ time, Vanier Road, between Antoine-Boucher and Aylmer Roads, will become a four-lane artery with one lane in each direction and one lane in each direction for transit. Furthermore, Vanier Road, between Antoine Boucher and Pink Roads, will have two lanes in each direction in a decade.

City planning and rapid transit

Marchand said that the city is working with the STO to see what short-term measures could be taken to help reduce traffic in the area.

As made clear by Marchand, the study was completed before the STO made public their preferred corridors for the rapid transit system in Aylmer. As such, Cima+’s study does not take into account this significant reality. The STO has yet to announce what corridor it will favour.

Maxime Tremblay, Plateau councillor, was unimpressed with the “outdated” study. “This was completed in 2014, which probably means the work was done in 2013. The area has considerably changed since (additional commercial and residential development) and the results are not surprising. There’s a problem, but residents knew this. It’s good that the study confirms reality; however, we got an F three years ago, it can’t be better now. Development continues, but the infrastructure is not following. I’m not an expert, but we need solutions.”

Denise Lafferière, Hull-Wright councillor, said that a crucial element to solve the traffic problem in Aylmer is the interprovincial Prince-of-Wales rail bridge. “We need to work with OC Transpo and the City of Ottawa who owns the bridge. We need to improve the quality of life of Aylmer residents and we need to accelerate building partnerships with Ottawa to build this north-south connection,” she said.