Community members who came to the Lowertown Community Association meeting on September 14 heard the latest news on Rideau LRT station construction from City representative Theresa Mendler.
At this time, 40% of Rideau cavern drilling is complete and the crews are working on elevators and escalators within the mall to create entrances to the station. Rideau station will have three entrances. The East Entrance will be coordinated with the future Scotia Bank building on the northeast corner of Rideau Street and William Street. The West Entrance will be integrated into Rideau Centre at corner of Colonel By Drive and Rideau Street, and the Mid Entrance will be accessed via Rideau Centre elevator.
Rideau Street is currently restricted to traffic because construction will be increasing at the street level to feed the underground work. Buses and taxis will continue to be permitted; the street will be closed to all vehicles for one weekend in October. About 80% of STO buses have moved to Mackenzie King.
Traffic on Rideau will be impacted for the next two years, as requested by blasting, excavation, equipment staging and water main replacement. Blasting will start in October 2015 and the HVAC shaft will be created on the north side of Rideau in 2016.
Recognizing that Rideau businesses will be affected by reduced foot traffic and car traffic, the City will give $25,000 to Byward Market BIA and Rideau BIA to promote businesses during construction. We hope this will be enough to convince shoppers to overcome their natural dislike of construction fencing and heavy equipment.
Questioned about pedestrian safety concerns caused by the large puddle at Rideau and Nicholas that forces pedestrians to walk into the bus lane to avoid it, Mendler responded that the City will address the situation before winter.