NCC BEGINS DEVELOPMENT OF GREEN TRANSPORTATION PLAN

November 6, 2009 · Filed Under Festival News, News

The National Capital Commission (NCC) is pleased to announce that it has begun the process of developing the Green Transportation Plan for Gatineau Park.The Plan, which will be developed in consultation with the firm AECOM-Tecsult, will assess the environmental impact of traffic on Gatineau Park and propose measures to reduce the impact, while allowing Park users to pursue recreational activities that respect the environment.

“The NCC wants to find sustainable solutions that will allow Park users, whether motorists, cyclists or pedestrians, to travel to and within Gatineau Park, while preserving the integrity of the Park,” said Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC. “I invite the public and interest groups to share their comments and experiences related to travelling in Gatineau Park, and to send us their suggestions.”

The development of the Green Transportation Plan will include three phases. Phase 1 will begin with an assessment to evaluate the current situation and impact of traffic, establish projected trends in terms of traffic numbers and identify transportation-related issues. Phase 2 will develop one or more options for travel to and within the Park. Phase 3 will select the preferred option for travel to and in the Park. The Phase 1 assessment is now under way, and will conclude in spring 2010. It is expected that the final report for the Plan will be tabled in spring 2011.

With the Plan in place, the NCC will be able to prepare an action plan to implement concrete measures developed in collaboration with municipal and regional partners and with public support, as the public is being asked to participate in consultations throughout the entire process. The Plan will also establish budgetary needs, as well as a schedule for implementation over the short, medium and long term.

For the first phase in developing the Green Transportation Plan, the NCC is inviting the public and interest groups to visit its website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca and participate in an online consultation by responding to a survey. The aim is to define the key issues related to Park access and travel to and within the Park. The NCC would like to obtain suggestions from the public and interest groups regarding sustainable solutions that could be considered. The NCC is collecting the public’s comments and suggestions until January 15, 2010.

A second public consultation, expected to take place in spring 2010, will summarize the key issues and problems, as well as potential solutions. The third consultation, planned for winter 2011, will present the various proposed options for action.

Other public consultations related to Gatineau Park

Gatineau Park Winter Trails Open House

As part of the Gatineau Park winter trails open house, the public and interest groups can find out about new elements of the winter trails program and share their comments with the Gatineau Park management team. The open house takes place on Saturday, November 14, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre located at 33 Scott Road, Chelsea, Quebec.

Designing the Entrances to Gatineau Park

The Gatineau Park Master Plan (2005) establishes a hierarchy of visitor reception areas for more than 10 entrances to the Park. A study currently under way aims to establish design principles for each type of entrance, as well as the level of service offered at each entrance.

For those who are interested, an exhibit at the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, which is also posted on the NCC’s website, provides details about the study. This information will be available until November 20, 2009. In addition, experts will be available to answer your questions at the Gatineau Park annual open house on November 14, 2009.

The public and interest groups can submit their comments via a survey, also available at the Visitor Centre and on the NCC’s website, until November 20, 2009.

For more information, please call the NCC at 613-239-5000, 1 800-465-1867 (toll-free), 613-239-5090 (TTY) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or visit the NCC’s website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca.

Tags: environment, Gatineau Park, National Capital Commission, NCC