{"id":3999,"date":"2024-10-31T15:43:51","date_gmt":"2024-10-31T19:43:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/?p=3999"},"modified":"2024-10-31T15:44:28","modified_gmt":"2024-10-31T19:44:28","slug":"top-longest-streets-and-roads-in-ottawa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/eternal-3999-top-longest-streets-and-roads-in-ottawa","title":{"rendered":"Top Longest Streets and Roads in Ottawa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Residents of Ottawa love to walk, but few people think about the streets we walk along. After whom are they named? What is their history and length?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These streets are filled with ancient stories and events that took place on their grounds. How many people have passed by, and how much has happened over the centuries? <a href=\"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\">Ottawa Future<\/a> shares insights into the two longest streets in the capital and their histories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a0e553e7fe8b\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a0e553e7fe8b\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/eternal-3999-top-longest-streets-and-roads-in-ottawa\/#Yonge_Street\" title=\"Yonge Street\">Yonge Street<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/eternal-3999-top-longest-streets-and-roads-in-ottawa\/#Construction_History\" title=\"Construction History\">Construction History<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/eternal-3999-top-longest-streets-and-roads-in-ottawa\/#Bank_Street\" title=\"Bank Street\">Bank Street<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/eternal-3999-top-longest-streets-and-roads-in-ottawa\/#Street_Naming\" title=\"Street Naming\">Street Naming<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/eternal-3999-top-longest-streets-and-roads-in-ottawa\/#Trans-Canada_Highway\" title=\"Trans-Canada Highway\">Trans-Canada Highway<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/eternal-3999-top-longest-streets-and-roads-in-ottawa\/#History\" title=\"History\">History<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/eternal-3999-top-longest-streets-and-roads-in-ottawa\/#Route\" title=\"Route\">Route<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/eternal-3999-top-longest-streets-and-roads-in-ottawa\/#Exploring_Ottawa\" title=\"Exploring Ottawa\">Exploring Ottawa<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Yonge_Street\"><\/span>Yonge Street<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With a length of 56 kilometers, Yonge Street is one of the longest streets in Ottawa and serves as the city\u2019s main artery. Starting with this street is fitting. Interestingly, until 1999, the Guinness Book of Records listed erroneous information regarding its length, stating it was 1,896 km long, which automatically made it the longest street in the world. Later, this information was corrected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The construction of Yonge Street holds national historical significance in Canada. Here are a few fascinating facts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Yonge Street was part of the western settlement planning in Upper Canada in the 1790s.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The first Canadian subway is associated with this street.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u2019s a major commercial thoroughfare.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Along this street are the Eaton Centre and Dundas Square.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"856\" height=\"573\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/06\/yonge-street-is.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2524\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/06\/yonge-street-is.jpg 856w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/06\/yonge-street-is-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/06\/yonge-street-is-768x514.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/06\/yonge-street-is-696x466.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 856px) 100vw, 856px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Construction_History\"><\/span>Construction History<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The street\u2019s history is filled with adventurous travels, encounters between Indigenous peoples, European settlers, and the exchange of cultures. Historically, it was an Indigenous path, with North American Aboriginals traveling this land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>John Graves Simcoe, the first Governor of York, was instrumental in transforming the dusty, crowded road into Yonge Street. He initiated the road\u2019s construction, allocating land to settlers, who in return had to clear the roadway near their plots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The street was strategically vital, intended to serve as a reliable route for the British army (running north-south). Over time, Yonge Street has preserved its unique character. Although it no longer holds the title of the world\u2019s longest street, it remains one of the longest in Ottawa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bank_Street\"><\/span>Bank Street<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is Ottawa\u2019s longest street, stretching over 70 km. It encompasses 15 districts and is well-known as a clean and safe area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the 19th century, it was known as Esther Street but was later renamed. Along Bank Street, unique and varied neighborhoods are found, including two business improvement areas (BIAs). It extends southward from Wellington Street, serving as the city\u2019s commercial and shopping hub, also known as Bank Street Promenade. Historically, the street marked the divide between &#8220;East&#8221; and &#8220;West&#8221; Ottawa. Since 2006, portions of Bank Street have undergone annual major renovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1979, standard city signage with reflective white blades was installed on Bank Street, affixed with metal straps and acorn tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"428\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/06\/bank-street-01.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/06\/bank-street-01.jpg 640w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/06\/bank-street-01-300x201.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Street_Naming\"><\/span>Street Naming<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Interestingly, the street was not named after the Bank of Canada, a common misconception. The bank was founded in 1934, but the street\u2019s name dates back to the 19th century. It was named due to its location, running between the banks of the Ottawa and Rideau rivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before the 19th century, the street was widely known as Esther Street, named after the wife of Colonel John By, the notable canal builder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"297\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/06\/bankova.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2546\" style=\"width:626px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/06\/bankova.jpg 400w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/06\/bankova-300x223.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Trans-Canada_Highway\"><\/span>Trans-Canada Highway<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Canada\u2019s main highway is also noteworthy. It\u2019s one of the longest highways in the world, stretching 7,821 km. The road crosses all 10 Canadian provinces, connecting major cities and providing access to popular recreational areas, national, and provincial parks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"History\"><\/span>History<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In earlier days, residents primarily relied on water routes, such as the Rideau River, and railways in the 19th century. As demand for roads grew, residents advocated for the connection of cities and provinces. The decision to construct a paved highway, which allowed for faster travel, was ultimately made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1912, calls for interprovincial roads reached the Canadian government, and in 1919, a law was passed for the construction of the Trans-Canada Highway. Thus, residents could cross the Dominion without entering the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1286\" height=\"942\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/06\/bez-nazvy.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2539\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/06\/bez-nazvy.png 1286w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/06\/bez-nazvy-300x220.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/06\/bez-nazvy-768x563.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/06\/bez-nazvy-696x510.png 696w, https:\/\/cdn.ottawa-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/06\/bez-nazvy-1068x782.png 1068w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1286px) 100vw, 1286px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Route\"><\/span>Route<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Federal funding covered 90% of the project, with the remainder financed by the provinces. The route began in Victoria, British Columbia, connecting with Vancouver and continuing eastward, passing through Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the construction deadline was set for 1956, negotiations extended the timeline. For example, Quebec only signed on in 1960. Major construction challenges included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sault Ste. Marie and Wawa in Ontario (along Lake Superior), where there were no roads.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Deep marshlands, requiring the construction of 25 bridges with tons of gravel to create a solid base.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rogers Pass in British Columbia, prone to avalanches, with snow reaching an average of 8.5 m. A unique road covering and avalanche control system resolved this issue.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The official opening took place on July 30, 1962, and the road was named \u201cBC Highway 1.\u201d Physical completion came in 1971, when the highway met all standards. Its primary route is the second-longest in the world after Australia\u2019s highway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Exploring_Ottawa\"><\/span>Exploring Ottawa<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>And so, these are Ottawa\u2019s longest streets and the country\u2019s main highway. Some people prefer walks in parks and green spaces, of which Ottawa has plenty, while others choose to explore Canada\u2019s capital more thoroughly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How to do it? One can select the city\u2019s primary and longest streets, lined with charming establishments, shops, and more. It\u2019s also possible to take a drive along Canada\u2019s main highway, where scenic views are guaranteed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a journey through the city\u2019s history, a time to reflect on the changes over the years and centuries, and to appreciate the progress achieved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Residents of Ottawa love to walk, but few people think about the streets we walk along. After whom are they named? What is their history and length? These streets are filled with ancient stories and events that took place on their grounds. How many people have passed by, and how much has happened over the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":485,"featured_media":2521,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1118],"tags":[3446,3696,3694,3691,3695,3698,3702,3689,3701,3700,3699,3690,3693,3688,3697,3692],"motype":[1121],"moformat":[28],"moimportance":[29,30,33],"class_list":{"0":"post-3999","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-architecture","8":"tag-bank-street-3","9":"tag-citys-commercial-center","10":"tag-guinness-book-of-records","11":"tag-history-of-ottawa-streets","12":"tag-history-of-the-trans-canada-highway","13":"tag-length-of-yonge-street","14":"tag-longest-streets-in-ottawa","15":"tag-main-arteries-of-canadas-capital","16":"tag-name-of-bank-street","17":"tag-ottawas-longest-highway","18":"tag-ottawas-longest-street","19":"tag-ottawas-main-highway","20":"tag-primary-route","21":"tag-trans-canada-highway-3","22":"tag-walks-along-ottawas-longest-streets","23":"tag-yonge-street-3","24":"motype-eternal","25":"moformat-list-short","26":"moimportance-aktualna-bilshe-roku","27":"moimportance-golovna-novyna","28":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3999","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/485"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3999"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3999\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4001,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3999\/revisions\/4001"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2521"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3999"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3999"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3999"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=3999"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=3999"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=3999"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}