Quote:
Originally Posted by toaster
If only Main St. had more shops, restaurants and grocery, this would be an amazing place to live. Having to walk over the bridge, or into Sandy hill makes this less attractive.
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You would have to reduce the heavy car traffic on Main street. When Alta Vista or other points east and across the Rideau River were developed in the 50's-60's, Main Street became a main thoroughfare to those areas using the new McIlraith Bridge.
This bridge is due for rehabilitation in the coming years. Don't know if any thought is being given to rehabilitation of Main St also.
When Ottawa East Village was annexed in 1909 or so, (that's where "Main Street" comes from), the City of Ottawa promised a street car line from the Glebe to Ottawa East over a centre-pivot swing bridge at the end of Fifth Ave (aka Mutchmore Ave then). The proposed name was Mutchmore Bridge. That bridge was never built. I have seen the rendition at LAC.
A more humane form of public transportation like a streetcar from, say, the LRT Campus Station or the Train Station, down Main Street to the Ottawa Hospital, DND and CHEO campi on Smyth Road over the McIlraith Bridge would certainly help to revitalize Main Street. Right now, it's just a throughway and ever will be.
Main Street also needs dedicated bicycle lanes and no parking, at any time.
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