D. Kropf gave an update on the Complete Streets projects, reporting back on the comments made by the Active Transportation and Trails Committee.
Broadview Av - All of comments from ATTAC are being met except widening sidewalk to 1.8m due to retaining walls and hydro poles, which are very expensive to move. The crossing at Weber, will have an increased turning radius resulting in a narrower crossing for pedestrians. However, the crossing on the south side of Weber, in front of the Freshco parking lot, will still need to accommodate large delivery trucks, so it will be wider than the north side.
Connaught St. - Staff are proposing a multi-use trail (MUT) on one side with a sidewalk on the other. Sidewalk and cycle tracks would conflict with a number of trees and hydro poles. The proposed cross section still has conflicts with hydro poles, but only on one side of the road. The MUT is on the same side as the school providing a direct cycling connection, and also connects with the trail to the park.
Olympic Dr. - The committee requested wider sidewalks. Widening sidewalks to 1.8m would threaten a number of mature trees. Since it is not a main through-fare, the decision made to preserve tree canopy.
Westwood Dr. - The committee requested that there be bike infrastructure to connect to facilities on Glasgow Steet. Traffic is just over the requirement for a neighbourhood bikeway. Adding a bike lane would have an impact to trees and hydro poles. Additionally, as this is a bus route, lane width requirements would mean that there would be no room for parking on Westwood with the available right-of-way if bike lanes were added.
Chapel, Melrose, Sheridan - Staff have determined that the traffic volume on these streets is appropriate for a neighbourhood bikeway. Traffic calming will be implemented to increase safety. Wider sidewalks are also planned for this area.
G. Piccini mentioned that East Ave is drastically changed due to continuous sidewalks and asked if the treatment will be on both sides of East St. D. Kropf confirmed that if you are crossing East Street, you will have to go up and over the continuous sidewalk twice as it will be on both sides of the street.
Johnston & Patrick Street - Staff are proposing sidewalk on one-side due to right-of-way constraints as well as the presence of small-scale manufacturing on one side that result in lower sidewalk use, and also would be negatively impacted by any land acquisition. Getting land would have been difficult and could have impact on businesses. The committee had suggested a path connecting Breithaupt Street to Johnston Street. That land is not owned by the City, and that level of land acquisition is outside the scope of a road reconstruction and would only be considered as a long-term strategy.
Wellington St - This project will be impacted by the Province's proposed Bill 212 - Reducing Gridlock as the original plan was to remove motor vehicle lanes. Sidewalks and cycle tracks can fit on both sides even if 4 lanes are kept along the corridor, except at the unused rail bridge which will need to be dismantled in order to fit the active transportation infrastructure and keep the existing vehicle lanes. Traffic studies support removal of a vehicle lane in each direction, however proximity to the highway may impact thsi decision at the provincial level. Staff are prioritizing the implementation of this project for next year and will plan to keep 4 vehicle lanes to remove project risk. Staff will also be speaking to the Region about a protected intersection as they move forward with reconstruction of Lancaster Street.
M. Bells asked if the City is looking at comparing the cost of acquiring the land for the parallel route connecting Breithaupt and Joseph St and the cost of dismantling the rail bridge. D. Kropf explained that this would need to go through the Real Estate department.
G. Piccini stated that speed is a major issue in this corridor and asked if the road is staying at four lanes, whether the lanes would be narrowed. D. Kropf explained that the lanes would be narrowed, however if the road stays at four lanes, narrowing will have a limited impact on traffic calming.
B. Forwell asked if it would make sense to delay this project until there is more information or further changes to the law at the provincial level so that a road diet can be done which would allow more opportunities for cost savings and for implementation of the most appropriate cross section. Staff do not recommend delaying the project as this would only result in a road diet between Lancaster Street and Spring Valley Road. Additionally, longer-term changes may be required in this corridor due to any provincial changes to Highway 7.
Carlton, Metzloff, Montrose - The committee requested an upgrade to the trail connecting the Henry Sturm trail. This path is not owned by City so would not be considered as part of reconstruction as it would require land-acquisition. Future development of the property would probably consider formalizing that trail connection. This project will include narrowed lanes and 1.8 sidewalk. It is not clear at this time whether more trees will be included in this design, as plantings are not decided until after 90% design is complete. Based on the widened boulevards, it is likely that the final design will include more trees.
King Street - ATTAC has previously commented that the pedestrian experience in this area is currently poor. This design is another one that would be impacted by the proposed Bill 212. There are currently 3 lanes on this section and in order to implement sidewalk and cycle track, that centre turn lane would need to be removed at the mid-block. Turn lanes would be retained at intersections, where the sidewalk and cycle track would be curb-face however this is not possible through the mid-block due to comfort and feelings of safety, as well as winter snow maintenance. Staff are proposing that this project be delayed in order to ensure that the desired cross-section can be achieved.
G. Piccini asked if it is possible to extend this project to Pandora, in order to connect to the Duke Street bike lanes. D. Kropf clarified that it is not possible to complete the connection as part of this reconstruction as there is not enough space without major work being done, but that a connection can be part of a long-term plan.