Bank Street is back
Posted Nov 16, 2011 06:15:07 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – Bank is back after months of construction.
After nearly six months Bank Street officially opened for the morning commute on Wednesday.
“It’s pretty sweet, it makes my job a lot easier and a lot faster,” says Kelly, who delivers newspapers down Bank five days a week.
Those who live and sleep nearby are also smiling. “People on O’Connor are going to be very, very happy without the traffic going down their streets all the time,” one man says.
The road had been closed since May 24, as construction crews ripped up the asphalt to replace 100-year-old water and sewer pipes.
Mayor Jim Watson smiled as he announced the $22-million project came in on budget.
He admitted the past six months have been difficult for Glebe business owners.
“It’s a very, very hard thing to go through,” he said. “You know, you’re cutting off a lot of your vehicular traffic, it makes it more difficult for people to come by foot, or cycle, so having the street open is not only going to be good for business, but obviously good for the neighbourhood as well.”
Many businesses suffered over the summer months because of the closure, with some estimating their sales had dropped 40 per cent.
Bob Brocklebank, the past president of the Glebe Community Association says he’s glad the work came in on time.
“Bank Street is the main north-south spine of our city, and spinal surgery is not simple,” said Brocklebank. “But with patience and good collaboration between the community and project management it has proven to be less painful then we had feared.”
The construction isn’t completely finished, light posts, seating and a final road surface will be added in the spring, but the city guarantees there will be no more closures on Bank Street.
