Construction forcing pedestrians in downtown Ottawa to take dangerous risks

Barricaded sidewalks, massive construction vehicles andendless detour signs.

Those are just three impediments that havesome pedestrians in Ottawa saying itfeels nearly impossible at times to navigate parts of thedowntown.

Sections of Queen, Bank and O'Connor Streets and many others are partially closed, mostly for light rail construction.

City staff say construction contractors are required to ensure "a safe and accessible path of travel" when sidewalks and crosswalks are temporarily shut down, including for pedestrianswhouse wheelchairs, canes andwalkers as well asparents with strollers.

But some pedestrians told CBC News they feel like they're being forced to take dangerous risks on some downtown streets.

"It doesn't seem to be very well coordinated. The [sidewalk closure]wasn't planned with the pedestrian or the vehicle in mind,"saidRay Douziech, speaking about the Bank and Queenintersection, where two of the four crosswalks were closed on Thursday.

"I think [the closures are] for construction convenience."

Many people admitted to CBC News they've been jaywalking in order to cross parts of Queen and Bank streets.

"Yeah, I jaywalk sometimes," said Valerie Tougas. "Itwould be a detour to go back to where there's actually a sidewalk, or where you were supposed to cross. So sometimes you're kind of stuck, and youjust take a chance and walk on thestreet."

Adina Stewart told CBC News she's worried "somebody might get hurt."

"Sometimes it's so dangerous because you don't know when the car is coming," she said. "So it's like you have to be so alert."

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said "there's no question" there's a greater risk to pedestrians with all the downtown construction.

"I don't want to see anyone hit, or hurt as a result," said Watson."The police are at many of the locations to try and bring some semblance of order, and make sure safety is first."

The construction headache will pay off once the LRT opens in 2018, he added.