Kanata Tunnel Construction Is Here: What You Need to Know About Years of Traffic Changes

A massive construction project is now underway in Kanata, promising years of traffic headaches for local drivers. A new tunnel is being built under Terry Fox Drive, a plan that has been on the books for about 30 years. This project will connect Earl Grey Drive in the Kanata Centrum shopping area with Didsbury Road.

What’s the Goal of the New Tunnel?

The City of Ottawa says the tunnel will help ease traffic congestion in the busy commercial hub. It will also create a new route to Terry Fox Station for commuters.

The 140-metre tunnel isn’t just for cars. The design includes dedicated bike lanes and sidewalks, aiming to improve access for everyone. Upgrades to nearby intersections are also part of the plan.

Some Residents Are Not Convinced

News of the Kanata tunnel construction came as a surprise to some locals. Penny Cameron, who frequently drives in the area, questioned the project’s necessity. “A tunnel? It doesn’t make sense to me,” she commented, noting she has no trouble crossing Terry Fox Drive currently.

Another resident, Melissa Clark, who visits the Centrum weekly, called the plan “ridiculous.” She expressed concern about the long-term disruption the construction will cause. “[The construction] is going to go on forever and disrupt people’s lives,” she said.

So, what do you think? Is this tunnel a needed upgrade or just a major inconvenience? Drop a comment below and let us know your thoughts.

A Project Decades in the Making

Even local officials were initially taken aback. Kanata North Councillor Cathy Curry admitted her surprise when she learned about the tunnel after taking office in 2022. “I thought, do we really need that?” she said.

However, after discussions with city staff and OC Transpo, she came to understand the long-term vision. The plan for the tunnel actually started before the amalgamation of Ottawa.

Marianne Wilkinson, who was on Kanata council in the 1990s when the idea was first developed, explained its origins. Funds were collected from Centrum developers decades ago to pay for this future project. “The development is large here now,” Wilkinson stated. “There are a lot of people that come here all the time. So it’s not that it’s not needed anymore. It’s just a case of it coming around.”

Following the Money Trail

The total cost for the tunnel and the related intersection work is estimated at $28.5 million. According to the city, this isn’t coming directly out of your pocket.

About 95 per cent of the funding comes from development charges—fees paid by developers to help cover the cost of infrastructure needed for new growth. The remaining five per cent is covered by tax revenues.

“It’s taken a long time, but thankfully the development charges collected back then are still sitting there waiting for the project,” Curry added.

Construction is expected to continue for the next few years, with a completion date set for December 2027. Drivers should prepare for lane reductions and detours along Terry Fox Drive during this period.

More…

• https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/construction-of-new-kanata-tunnel-to-disrupt-traffic-for-years-1.7610537
• https://www.overheretoronto.com/university-of-victoria-professor-robert-gifford-exual-harassment
• https://www.cbc.ca/lite/story/1.7610537