tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252004362011-07-28T23:45:17.552-04:00RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.comBlogger701100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-56780415608245822692006-12-23T15:41:00.000-05:002008-12-09T09:08:29.611-05:00

My photos were getting blurrier and blurrier with all the dust in my old camera, so I finally got a new one. Here is a beautiful night shot with the new camera.This post added January 8, 2007Copyright 2005-2007 Charles Akben-Marchand

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-56846237250153369032006-11-21T15:34:00.000-05:002008-12-09T09:08:30.637-05:00

They've put boards up along the side of the bridge, so that when snowplows go by it won't fall on the canal. Good to know they plan on plowing it!A closeup. It makes you wonder whether these boards were thought of in the design stage...This post added January 8, 2007Copyright 2005-2007 Charles Akben-Marchand

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-37369442202181274502006-11-07T15:16:00.000-05:002008-12-09T09:08:31.558-05:00

Here you can see the recently-laid sod on the southeast approach. Notice how it echoes the windows in the building in the top-left? I didn't until just now.This sod was more uniform, on the northeast side.And the end of the northeast abutment. They're almost done there.Northeast, towards Colonel By drive.Here's a view of the southeast from the East approach. There's a gentleman there sweeping

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-31588933900378140622006-11-03T15:05:00.000-05:002008-12-09T09:08:34.613-05:00

...and now all trace of the temporary pathway is gone. The only evidence is on this website!I realized that I didn't have many photos of the whole bridge, only the pieces as they were built. So being a wonderful day, I took a few. I like this one the most.Here's a slightly different angle of the landscaping between the East approach and Colonel By Drive.There were some pylons and caution tape on

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-39401039410942074842006-10-24T14:42:00.000-04:002008-12-09T09:08:35.877-05:00

Okay, so I'm posting this on January 8, 2007. It's been quite a while, I know. I've seen some doubt as to whether I'd still be posting or taking photos. I have been taking photos, I've just been busy. My camera finally crapped out beyond hope, so I got a new one in December.Below are some of the flower pots, stacked up after their contents were used. (SE looking NE)Here is a shot of some of the

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1161661787029819582006-10-18T23:45:00.000-04:002006-10-23T23:51:05.140-04:00

A couple of the plants were stolen from this bed (and perhaps from others...) I wonder if the thief used one of the many flower pots which was stacked closeby...This post added October 23, 2006Copyright 2005-2006 Charles Akben-Marchand

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1161661138027108342006-10-16T23:21:00.000-04:002006-10-23T23:38:58.116-04:00

Look on the right, under the railings. There are six pylons which kept me from riding down the ramp. I was really offended by having to carry my bike down the stairs. The offense is primarily because I'm a Canadian (and thus am obligated to take offense), and secondarily because I'm a North American (and thus lazy).This photo, despite the lens cover not opening properly better conveyed the

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1161660067415066032006-10-13T23:08:00.000-04:002006-10-23T23:50:07.570-04:00

They're adding more bushes. These haven't been planted yet.A view of the south side of the East approach, from the East approach.Here are some pots from some of the bushes......which were planted here, on the West approach!This post added October 23, 2006Copyright 2005-2006 Charles Akben-Marchand

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1161659321891637032006-10-10T22:52:00.000-04:002006-10-23T23:08:42.110-04:00

I'm posting this two weeks after these photos were taken, so I don't quite remember the context. I do remember that this billboard has some graffiti on it.They've done some progress on the landscaping front. There's a line of trees getting ready to be planted. (SE looking N)Here's a view of the battlefield escarpment north of the East approach. Quite the operation going on there!Here's a view of

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1160161034978021902006-10-06T14:46:00.000-04:002006-10-07T17:54:13.356-04:00

More photos today. Here is a patch job done around one of the bollards on th East approach. Unfortunately, some cyclists didn't grasp it.They laid down some plywood so that this bulldozer's tracks didn't mess with the pavement. Easier to clean, too.They painted the intersection alraedy, and installed the stop signs on Queen Elizabeth Drive. That came up faster than I had expected. (The signs

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1160103702456861352006-10-05T22:52:00.000-04:002006-10-05T23:01:42.460-04:00

They resurfaced the intersection at Somerset. It looks nice.They're landscaping the West bank. Note also the paved connection.Here's the other paved connection. Unfortunately, it looks like it will be dumping people into the crosswalk when it is installed (they will be putting up stop signs). Although not so much a problem in this instance, many times the paths dump people onto crosswalks and

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1160103081137913142006-10-03T22:35:00.000-04:002006-10-05T22:51:21.153-04:00

WTF? They painted a line on the bridge! Not cool! >:(Fine, I'll bite. Where does it go?Around the corner, past the workers. I kid you not, their discussion pertained to the mortar.Okay, so the line leads me onto the bridge... and? and?Oh, it just dumps me onto Somerset street. It's all torn up, too.Here's the other part of the intersection.I think that the bridge looked much more beautiful

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1159847362626140682006-10-02T23:36:00.000-04:002006-10-02T23:49:23.753-04:00

I needed to relax, so I went to the bridge. I decided to take a few photos. This one looks really nice...But this one is beautiful! There are two people sitting on the railing at the centre of the bridge, and the moon is very bright. Not bad for a camera that is literally falling apart! I think I'll make postcards of this shot...Copyright 2005-2006 Charles Akben-Marchand

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1160102113240704042006-09-29T22:31:00.000-04:002006-10-05T22:35:13.243-04:00

Here's a shot of the same batch of work being done as from yesterday's photo. They're installing those bollards on the West approach.Sorry for this shot being fuzzy, but it does show the work in action. (NW looking SW)This post added October 5, 2006Copyright 2005-2006 Charles Akben-Marchand

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1160101904560046772006-09-28T22:26:00.000-04:002006-10-05T22:33:51.103-04:00

They added soil to the northeast embankment, and started landscaping it. Note the two trees. (W looking NE)Looking back, I discovered I hadn't taken any shots of this perspective. It was a rainy day, and I think I was in a hurry to get somewhere but I managed to snap this shot. (bridge looking W)This post added October 5, 2006Copyright 2005-2006 Charles Akben-Marchand

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1160101555153697052006-09-24T22:01:00.000-04:002006-10-05T22:33:31.853-04:00

After putting up the previous post, I took some photos at night. Here's a shot of how the underside is lit. (W looking E)...and again, but this time with flash. The light shines inward towards the bridge, and the light that we see is a reflection.This post added October 5, 2006Copyright 2005-2006 Charles Akben-Marchand

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1159127623978686762006-09-24T15:27:00.000-04:002006-09-24T15:53:44.076-04:00

I was going to post one of my photos of the completed bridge to the Wikipedia entry on the bridge, but found that I didn't have any good shots that said in one photo, "this is the bridge." So I took some today that I hope will qualify. (SW looking NE)This is just a beautiful shot. It has nice clear lines, and very little construction junk remianing. Unfortunately, it's the underside of the bridge

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1159126068401058982006-09-21T15:00:00.000-04:002006-09-24T15:27:48.506-04:00

The bridge is open!!!! Yay! (W looking E)Here are some containers of cobblestone (on the left in the above photo). Not to be confused with Kabul Stone, which is Afghanistan's second-biggest export, after opium.Here's the expansion joint on the west end, and a grate.Here's a shot of the east staging area from the bridge. Note that they've already torn up the temporary pathway detour that went

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1158796372874337942006-09-20T19:41:00.000-04:002006-09-20T19:52:52.906-04:00

I can't wait for the bridge to finally be open tomorrow! What a long journey it's been!Sorry this photo is dark. There was bad weather today. There is a truck right under the light standard, if you can make it out. It was a water tanker that they were using to wash the dirt off of the bridge approaches. (SE looking NW)Here is a shot of the East approach. Nothing much to say about it, except water

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1158790033960521932006-09-20T18:01:00.000-04:002006-09-20T18:09:48.006-04:00

Great news, everyone!The Bridge will be opening tomorrow, Thursday, September 21, 2006! Cyclists, pedestans, and inline skaters will be able to use the bridge to cross the canal to get to the University of Ottawa's Car Free Day activities!See message below.- Charles.From: Diane.Holmes@ottawa.ca Holmes, DianeTo: undisclosed-recipientsDate: Tue, 19 Sep 2006 13:36:50 -0400Subject: Upcoming Bridge

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1158795652371429972006-09-18T19:35:00.000-04:002006-09-20T19:40:52.373-04:00

Not much change, but I did take a shot of the Bridge as seen approaching it on Somerset Street West.Here's that railing that I was talking about. You can also see another one just below it on the ground, which they bent too far. (W looking NE)This post added September 20, 2006Copyright 2005-2006 Charles Akben-Marchand

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1158795198379846652006-09-17T19:04:00.000-04:002006-09-20T19:33:24.800-04:00

They have installed the secondary railing. This one juts inward, so (I believe) cyclists' handlebars won't get caught in the vertical ironwork. (W looking E)Here's a shot of the almost-completed railing on the West side. One curiosity I noticed was that the railing on the far side is intentionally broken. I wonder if they're planning on putting a kiosk or something there down the road... (W

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1158793471243252872006-09-13T19:02:00.000-04:002006-09-20T19:04:31.246-04:00

Only one photo today. It was raining. However, the light on the ramp appears to be functioning. (SE looking NW)This post added September 20, 2006Copyright 2005-2006 Charles Akben-Marchand

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1158793192281661082006-09-11T18:31:00.000-04:002006-09-20T18:59:52.426-04:00

I took a lot of photos today, in two different sets (one at 14:50 and one at 16:25). Here's a big-picture shot coming from the Laurier Bridge on the East side. (N looking S)Here's a shot of the East approach elbow under construction. Notice how the end of the rail isn't yet complete. (NE looking SW)Here's a shot of the east approach upper ramp. The railing has been partially installed. (E looking

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1158791482842056912006-09-07T18:10:00.000-04:002006-09-20T18:31:22.930-04:00

I was in a hurry this morning, but when I saw that they were paving the East approach, I couldn't help but photograph the progress! (SE looking W)And here's the progress at the croswalk towards the Campus bus stop. At first I thought they might put pavers in the remaining gap there... (SE looking SW)But a couple of hours later, I was proven wrong! It was very fresh, very warm, and very smooth! (

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1157608261103540442006-09-06T23:58:00.000-04:002006-09-07T01:51:01.186-04:00

There was significant progress on the West approach, so I took a lot of photos today. This truck, just north of the East staging area, had something happening, but I think it was unrelated to the bridge. (NE looking NW)Here's the bridge from the northeast (NE looking SW)And straight on from the east. Note that they have removed the last of that graffiti. Also note the funky light fixture. (E

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1157605885645106812006-09-05T01:07:00.000-04:002006-09-07T01:11:25.663-04:00

They've removed the fences surrounding the West approach, and just put up two at the edge of the bridgepan!I actually took ten photos this night, but since I took more photos the day after, I'm only posting four. Here's the concrete between the West end of the bridge and the stairway down to the canalside. (W looking SW)Here's the same area, but from a bit further up on the bridge. Note how

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1143932917225692972006-09-02T17:49:00.002-04:002010-01-01T12:25:08.871-05:00

Note: this blog is now archived. I have stopped posting photos of the Corktown Footbridge. For more recent photos of Centretown, check out my newer blog, Images of Centretown.Hi, everyone!I've been taking photos of the Rideau Canal Pedestrian Bridge, under construction.If you want to view the City of Ottawa's detailed design photos and other documents related to the bridge they are available on

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1157246968377223652006-09-01T21:10:00.000-04:002006-09-02T21:29:29.240-04:00

I have no idea who that man is. I swear! But he seems to be using his body to hide one of the large piles of gravel by the West approach. (W looking E)The construction on the West approach is getting its finishing touches. (SW looking SE)As are the gravel ramps for the approaches... (W looking SW)That raised, curved concrete is now just curved. (W looking NW)You'll note that the railings are

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1157245786486338492006-08-31T20:59:00.000-04:002006-09-02T21:09:46.490-04:00

The sun is glistening on the railing of the bridge. (NE looking SW)The lamp looks spiffy. Does the truck come with the bridge?The ramp for the East approach is getting a settlement. It better not crumble after it's built, or I'll be angry! (SE looking SW)View of the railing from the southeast side. Those stairs are finally finished. (SE looking NW)Poor guy. All he wants is to sit down on a bench,

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1157245073085888802006-08-26T20:49:00.000-04:002006-09-02T20:57:53.086-04:00

Pardon my thumb. I was so excited at the sight of the railings being built that I couldn't handle the camera properly! (W looking E)Aside from the neat view of the railings, we can see that the workers have begun pouring the concrete for the steps. (SW looking NE)The concrete is under those white tarps. You'll have to take my word for it. Come to think of it, I'll also have to take my word for it

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1157244231007424222006-08-23T20:35:00.000-04:002006-09-02T20:49:10.340-04:00

It's really hard to see here (especially if you have a bad monitor like I'm on right now), but you can see the partially-installed railing on the bridge. (SE looking NW)Here's the railing on the East approach.And a better view along the span. (SE looking W)This file from 2006-08-24 was just sitting on its own, and it was so cute, so I tossed in with the photos from 2006-08-23. It's idyllic,

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1157243653410975362006-08-16T20:24:00.000-04:002006-09-02T20:34:13.413-04:00

Here's a bunch of asphalt and pylons. I dropped out of scouts, but I'm pretty sure it's a sign pointing in the direction of the truck, so they don't forget where they parked it. (West approach)Here's a really neat swingstage that appears to go all the way under the bridge. (NW looking E)Closer view of the red swingstage. (NW looking E)There's a sign that they're almost done their work--a

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1157243030225774032006-08-11T20:08:00.000-04:002006-09-02T20:24:05.516-04:00

I was going over the Laurier bridge (railing in foreground), and saw this ferry heading under the new bridge. I thought I'd take a photo (although I didn't actually wait for it to get to the bridge). (N looking S)A view of the bridge and West approach from Somerset street. (W looking E)The concrete forms for the stairs on the East approach have finally been installed. (W looking E)...And you can

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1157228764005726252006-08-03T15:55:00.000-04:002006-09-02T20:04:53.713-04:00

Remember all those yellow temporary brackets? They've all been removed and collected into nice tidy blocks! The bridge is now free! (SW looking NE)And here's what it looks like with the flash on (:P)This one's a bit more in focus, with the fence out of the way. (SW looking NE)Here we can see the stairway on the opposite side. (SW looking SE)And yet another slightly different view. Here we can see

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1157226832822621522006-07-26T15:28:00.000-04:002006-09-02T15:53:55.456-04:00

Again, two days and two photos, so I put them in one post. None of them stand out very much. (SW looking SE)I'm not sure what those things are on the right of the bridge, across from where the guy in the white t-shirt is. (SW looking NE)2006-07-26. Here's the view of the East approach, the bridge, and that swingstage. In the back, that tall white building is Place Bell (as in the phone company).

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1157225182674666792006-07-20T15:09:00.000-04:002006-09-02T15:26:25.116-04:00

SCANDAL! A VANDAL!It would seem that someone has sprayed graffiti on our precious bridge! However, being a subscriber to the Broken Windows theory of crime prevention, I would not want to immortalize their work on the internet. That could even encourage more people to graffitize them. So I did the only thing I could do--valdalize their vandalism with the atavistic MS Paint! (E looking SW)On the

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1157223799751571082006-07-19T14:58:00.000-04:002006-09-02T15:03:19.753-04:00

I know I've been taking a lot of photos of the West side, but that's where all the action's been! Here are the forms getting ready to have wet, sexy concrete poured into them. (W looking E)And a slightly different view, through the fence. (W looking E)This post added September 2, 2006Copyright 2005-2006 Charles Akben-Marchand

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1157223495440120502006-07-14T14:52:00.000-04:002006-09-02T14:58:15.440-04:00

See if you can find the difference between this photo and the next one, taken two days later... (W looking E)If you guessed "truck", you're right! (W looking E)This post added September 2, 2006Copyright 2005-2006 Charles Akben-Marchand

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1157223118709127182006-07-09T14:43:00.000-04:002006-09-02T14:51:58.713-04:00

Here are some form blocks getting ready to be installed on the West approach. (W looking NE)Those metal triangular things will also be used for the forms, which will be used to build atop those curly steel rebars sticking out of the cement in this photo. (W looking E)Here's a view of the fence, in case you forget that it's still there!This post added September 2, 2006Copyright 2005-2006 Charles

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1157222577304922072006-07-06T14:35:00.000-04:002006-09-02T14:43:23.973-04:00

Here are some shots of the East approach. They've set up some temporary wooden railings for the workers. (SE looking N)Another view of the railings. (SE looking NW)Here you can see that they're starting to get ready to install the stairs here. (SE looking NW)This post added September 2, 2006Copyright 2005-2006 Charles Akben-Marchand

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1157222003183910942006-07-02T14:11:00.000-04:002006-09-02T14:34:58.540-04:00

Since I only took one or two photos on the next couple of days, I decided to put them all in one post. Here's one from 2006-06-22... (W looking E)And one seven days later, at dusk (W looking E)Also on 2006-06-29, at a slightly different angle. (SW looking NE)And rapid progress shortly after, on 2006-07-02! (W looking E)Also on 2006-07-02... (W looking NE)This post added September 2, 2006Copyright

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1157220615817679992006-06-20T13:41:00.000-04:002006-09-02T14:10:16.346-04:00

Here is a shot of the bridge from the east side of Colonel By Drive, north of the bridge. (NE looking SW)Here's a closer shot of the East approach. (NE looking S)And a closer shot of the workers on the centre of the bridge. (NE looking SW)Here I was trying to be artistic, or something. Maybe I just wanted to get a closer shot of one of the girders, or maybe I just wanted to point out "hey! I

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1150414798824670262006-06-15T19:20:00.000-04:002006-06-15T19:39:58.840-04:00

As I came home from lunch on the Western side of the canal, there was a sign of something going on. The sign seemed to say "look closer", or more specifically, "Pedestrians use other sidewalk".A view of the other sidewalk. As you can see, pedestrians don't much care for signs. Being a cyclist and not a pedestrian, I decided to ignore the sign.Not sure what I would see, I took an anticipatory

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1149988973591513392006-06-07T21:16:00.000-04:002006-06-10T21:22:53.593-04:00

Although I had gone by a few times in May, I didn't take any photos, because there wasn't that much evidence of change. The most I could see here was the stairway, which I had already photographed from the other side. (SW looking NW)Nevertheless, I valiantly took photos for comparison. This is a view of the East approach from the West side, just south of the new staircase. That concrete column

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1149988555688169532006-06-06T21:01:00.000-04:002006-07-21T22:08:30.560-04:00

They've laid down new gravel for the East approach. It's almost as though they're going to pave it soon. (SE looking NE)I suspect that they've suspended (nyuk nyuk) work on the part of the bridge that goes over the canal for the duration of the boating season. (SE looking N)Why did I take this picture? Can you see him? It's Waldo--he's a surveyor today. (SE looking SW)The Peace Tower is framed

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1157205459701926262006-05-27T09:56:00.000-04:002006-09-02T14:58:57.236-04:00

Okay, so I'm posting many of these photos (except for June 6 to 15) on September 2, 2006. Needless to say, I can't remember everything I had been thinking when I took the photos.This is the only photo I took today from the East approach. (SE looking N)Here is the frame mold for the staircase next to the West approach. (SW looking SE)Here is the deck. Not much difference from the last photo,

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1149987632703823622006-05-10T20:54:00.000-04:002006-06-10T21:00:32.703-04:00

Can you see it? (SW looking NE)It's a crane! It's dropping in another one of those yellow temporary frames. (SE looking W)Here is a view of a new concrete form on the North part of the West approach. (SW looking NW)And a closer view through the trees of the East side of the bridge. It's too bad when they were doing the Environmental Assessment that they didn't consider the harmful effect of trees

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1149987256715618742006-05-05T20:48:00.000-04:002006-06-10T21:01:17.813-04:00

Aha, you see? I told you they would be building a staircase there! (SE looking W)These two folks think that they can walk straight up to parliament hill... (SE looking N)By the looks of it, they aren't doing a bad job of it, either. (SE looking N)I'm assuming this is the form for one of the walls on the East approach. That, and a red wheelbarrow. (E side)More forms with Ten Driveway in the

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1149986909490579322006-04-28T20:38:00.000-04:002006-06-10T21:00:57.453-04:00

Ah, a quick rush-hour inspection. First, the East approach. Note the quantity and type of gravel. Your pretty standard stuff at this point. (SE looking NE)Next, the West approach. They will soon be building a staircase between that orange fence and the bridge, just as they did on the East side. (SE looking W)The construction of one of the walls of the East approach on the left, and a completed

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1149986286822329922006-04-26T20:31:00.000-04:002006-06-10T20:38:06.823-04:00

Here's a view of the East approach, and the new frame for the stairway. Note in the background 120 University Private (right behind the three guys), and Thomson residence (which also houses the Criminology department). I forget if I already introduced that residence, but in case I didn't, it's apparently the "dry" residence. (SW looking E)A wider view of the East approach and embankment. (SW

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1149985815476603262006-04-21T20:19:00.000-04:002006-06-10T20:54:39.343-04:00

Even though I hadn't been posting them, I've still been taking pictures. All photos from April 21 to June 7 were posted on June 10, 2006.A friend of mine had shown me his construction photos. He's a real photographer, whereas I won't even claim amateur status. I tried to do an artistic effect by having the arc of the bridge mimic the round light. I think I'll stick to creative writing. (S looking

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1145585883840592882006-04-19T15:26:00.000-04:002006-09-06T15:46:59.516-04:00

I hadn't taken photos in a few days, so I decided to take some today. Here's a photo of the big picture; not much difference to be seen. (N looking S)Here's a shot of the west bank. They've laid a couple more steel girders over the temporary supports, but nothign significant. (NE looking SW)Here's a shot of the Gaza strip--I mean east bank. If you compare it to earlier shots of the same spot, I

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1145586456834026922006-04-13T22:22:00.000-04:002006-04-20T22:27:36.836-04:00

It seems that they are doing most of their activity on the banks, and not much across the canal. For example, they have begun building the forms for the staircase on the east approach. (SW looking E)Not too much appears to be happening on the west side, either. Not even a staircase frame. I suspect that there won't be anything happening on the span over the canal during the canal's operating

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1145587075669096392006-04-10T22:29:00.000-04:002006-04-20T22:37:55.670-04:00

Although I never really notice much difference, I keep taking photos every few days, always from a different angle than the last time. The hope is that when I bring home the photos and compare them, I can see the differences. The reality is that I don't have time to do this. (W looking NE)That building on the East side is one of the University of Ottawa's most recent buildings. It was completed

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1144435778369317952006-04-06T14:42:00.000-04:002006-04-07T14:49:38.383-04:00

I found out what these two buildings are. The closer one (on the right) is 20 the Driveway, and the further one (centre) is 40 the Driveway. The one in the centre also has a fancy name, though I forget offhand what it was called. (NE looking SW)View of the East staging area. To capture this and many other photos, I stuck my camera through the fence. (NE looking SE)There wasn't much activity on

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1144105116609237332006-04-02T17:37:00.000-04:002006-04-03T18:58:36.623-04:00

There's honestly not too much in this photo that's changed since the last few batches, other than more yellow things in the middle section. (SW looking NE)Close(r) up of the centre of the bridge. That building in the middle of the background is 50 Laurier, a recently-build upscale condo building. Despite it being across the street from the university, I doubt that many students live there.

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1143960475243448232006-03-31T12:00:00.000-05:002006-04-02T01:47:55.246-05:00

I had not planned on taking photos this day, but as I was coming up Colonel By Drive, I saw the bridge from this new angle, so I took a couple of shots. I couldn't decide whether to use this one, which had the car in the way... (S looking N)Or this one, that didn't have the car, but also didn't have the cyclist. So I posted them both! (S looking N)I also had two shots from this angle. However,

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1143960221682351562006-03-30T12:01:00.000-05:002006-04-02T01:48:23.056-05:00

I had gotten out later than I wanted to take these shots, and the light was not cooperating very well with where I was standing. My flash reflected off the sign. (SE looking NW)This one, however, looks pretty cool. I should take a few more like this at dusk when there's more of a bridge there. (SE looking N)Copyright 2005-2006 Charles Akben-Marchand

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1143960006844005462006-03-29T12:01:00.000-05:002006-04-02T01:48:50.676-05:00

It looks like they're finished realigning the intersection here. But don't look at that. Note the straight-on view of the yellow things. I'm still not sure what they are for... (W looking E)I can only assume it's a temporary structure that they're going to lay the main beams on, then take them off later. The crane is a "Dulepka" crane. I have no idea what that means. (SW looking E)Copyright 2005-

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1143959697453330752006-03-28T12:01:00.000-05:002006-04-02T01:49:14.813-05:00

Hey wait! I thought the cranes were gone? (NE looking S)Oh, I see, they're using the cranes to put those Lego Technic things in place... (NE looking SW)View of the staging area on the East side. That black thing is a 20' container. (NE looking W)Although I was focusing on the yellow bits when I took this photo, you can see the incline pointing to Parliament Hill. Visibility of Parliament Hill was

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1143959284797633342006-03-24T12:00:00.000-05:002006-04-02T01:28:04.806-05:00

After I recharged my batteries overnight, I took some photos of the recent progress from the West bank. (SW looking NE)Here's the bridge from a slightly different angle. A professional photographer would claim that he "framed" the shot with trees...like it was intentional or something (SW looking NE)Here's the East approach from the West side. The photos don't look like they have any logical

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1143958244218461892006-03-23T12:00:00.000-05:002006-04-02T01:10:44.220-05:00

Hey! They've got stuff going across the canal now! Aweseome! (Laurier Bridge looking S)Lookit those fancy cranes! (NE looking S)A view of the staging area on the East bank (NE looking S)Ooh! The gate's open! Let's take a look at what's inside! (NE looking SW)Those yellow things remind me of Lego Technic pieces. I wonder what they'll be used for...Another view of the substructure. It actually has

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1143936222635704082005-11-14T12:01:00.000-05:002006-04-01T19:04:31.410-05:00

Although I probably didn't know it at the time, this was the last batch of photos I took before the end of the season. I probably rode by the site a couple of times in November or December, but didn't see any significant enough change. (SE looking NW)In uploading these photos, I accidentally discovered the button that lets me add more than one photo at a time...much easier... (SE looking NE)That

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1143935696964795022005-10-05T12:01:00.000-04:002006-04-01T18:54:56.990-05:00

Anybody know what that thing in the canal is? Sorry about the crooked shot—no, the building in the background is not leaning! (SE looking W)It's our friendly pile of dirt and gravel again. Three differences from 2005-09-02: (1) this one provides wonderful view of the fence, (2) no clouds, (3) the inhabitants are building some sort of hut on the other side.... (SE looking NW)A fresh pile of dirt

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1143934695051283912005-09-24T12:01:00.000-04:002006-04-01T18:39:02.666-05:00

There are only four different photos for September 2005, so I put them all in one post. (2005-09-02, SE looking W)However, I have many more photos of this same pile of dirt, from similar angles, and on different days... (SE looking NE)The four photos I took on 2005-09-05 were all like this one of the metal box/pit on the Northeast side. That's what happens when all the screws holding your camera

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1143934220451551532005-08-25T12:01:00.000-04:002006-04-01T18:38:49.166-05:00

SE looking WSome gravel arrived in the last few days...One of those big metal underground-box thingies was installed on the East side, NE of the appraoch.Site photos. I'm sure the guys in the photo appreciate the publicity.The path at the bottom of the screen was created to serve as an alternate route, so that pathway users don't have to trod in the mud.Copyright 2005-2006 Charles Akben-Marchand

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1143933646419083502005-08-15T12:00:00.000-04:002006-04-01T18:20:46.423-05:00

Construction of the West approachW looking EA slightly different angle. Note the boxes around the pipes...later, we'll see how they form a hole in the concreteAnother slightly different angle, better view of the East approachThe building in the centre is Vanier Hall on the University of Ottawa campus.Copyright 2005-2006 Charles Akben-Marchand

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1143931786586691212005-08-06T12:00:00.000-04:002006-04-01T17:49:46.586-05:00

There's actually construction going on!E looking WE looking SWSE looking NWCopyright 2005-2006 Charles Akben-Marchand

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25200436.post-1143931530397399722005-07-24T12:00:00.000-04:002006-04-01T17:45:30.496-05:00

My first photos of the bridge...SE looking WSE looking NSE looking WSE looking NCopyright 2005-2006 Charles Akben-Marchand

RealGrouchynoreply@blogger.com0