Laura Dudas
There is an old joke that Ottawa really only has two seasons: winter and construction. Although we may be in the middle of winter, the freeze‑thaw cycles, with their sudden melts and quick refreezes and the damage they cause to our roads, naturally turn our thoughts to the season ahead.
After years of fighting to get the section of Innes Road in Blackburn Hamlet (from Bypass to Bypass) repaved, the work is on the books, and fully funded, in 2026! This has been a long time in the works and could not proceed until the required work that tore into the old asphalt, from cathodic protection work (hole drilling to preserve the water pipes) to road cuts from developments, was complete. Add to that the initial assessment and engineering work needed to commence a repaving job that was done last year, and, pun intended, the road is paved for construction to start in the coming months.
This was the last stretch of Innes Road on my radar, with the remainder in our community, extending from Blair to Prestwick, already completed over the past several years. This roadway is a vital artery in our community, and I am very pleased that we will finally see the entire corridor renewed.
Much of our community was built in the 60s and 70s, with some areas even older, which is why I have focused so heavily on infrastructure renewal. Visible projects like Eastpark Drive’s resurfacing, the expansion at Lois Kemp Arena, the new Blackburn splash pad, and extensive sidewalk and pathway replacements are only part of the work. Less visible but equally important upgrades have included new sewer culverts, new cathodic protection systems for our drinking water systems, and improvements to street lighting and wastewater infrastructure. These may not be as exciting or visible, but they are essential to keeping our community one of the best places to live in Ottawa.
Beyond Innes Road, other renewal projects will also continue in 2026. Sections of Northpark Drive will be repaved, with the ironworks also replaced; the pathway from Agnes Purdy Park to École Sainte‑Marie will be rebuilt; and the Bearbrook Outdoor Rink will be levelled and resurfaced along with new side boards.
It may still be winter, but we are heading into a busy construction season as we give many aging pieces of infrastructure a much-needed refresh. As a Blackburn resident myself, I know how much pride we take in our community and how important it is to keep it well maintained.
There is always more to do, and I will continue pushing for greater investment. I am always grateful to everyone who shares their ideas and thoughts on what you would like to see renewed or added in our community.