Bike lanes to line Major's Hill Park, NCC says

Dedicated bike lanes will be built along Mackenzie Avenue, thestretch of road that runs between Major's Hill Park and the embassy of the United States, the National Capital Commission announced Wednesday.

On-street parking spaces on the east side ofMackenzie Avenue will also be removed, the NCC said.

It's part of a collaborative plan with the City of Ottawa and the U.S. embassy to improve mobility onConfederation Boulevard, a symbolic7.5-kilometres route onboth sides of the Ottawa River that forms a loop, the NCC said.

The NCC said jersey barriers will be removed from in front of the U.S. embassy andsecuritybollards will be installed. The concrete barriers were erected in 2001 following 9/11.

The new cycling paths are part of the City of Ottawa's 2013 cycling plan, as well as the NCC's strategic plan for a pathway network in the capital region.

JohnMoser, Ottawa'sacting deputy manager of planning and infrastructure, recommends that the city accept the changes on Mackenzie Avenue in a report posted on the city websiteWednesday afternoon. The report is on the city's Transportation Committee on Nov.4.

The report will then be submitted for approval by the NCC Board Nov. 18, the NCC said.

A detailed construction plan will follow, the NCC said.