Master Transportation Plan: COMPLETE STREETS ?

The Consultants Morrison-Hersfield have been hired by the City of Belleville to present a picture of the transportation growth and needs for the next 20 years in the Quinte Region and the within our City specifically.  This process will involve citizen input at various points in time,  discussions with the City engineering department, and input from stakeholders such as the Belleville Cyclist Advisory Group for example.  all modes of transportation are to be considered: pedestrians, cyclists, transit buses, trucks and cars.  M-H will make recommendations that are to guide the decision making by the City Council, who in turn have to balance the desired changes against the budget constraints in each year forward.

The concept of "Complete Streets" has become foremost in the planning of many North American Cities. The intent is to put people and place first, to enhance the livability of a city.  It is for young and old, to share the road space, and to enhance the safety, access, and enjoyment of where we work, shop or play.       Much success has already been met in New York, Chicago,  and many smaller cities.  Here it is defined:

http://www.completestreets.org/complete-streets-fundamentals/

This means that every transportation project will make the street network better and safer for drivers, transit users, pedestrians, and bicyclists – making your town a better place to live.


Let's hope that Belleville Ontario will be joining in this trend soon !  It's not only about change, it's about "getting it right the first time" for the long term benefit of everyone !

INTERIM CYCLE NETWORK FOR DISCUSSION

The stakeholders group selected for advising about the pedestrian/cycling network to Morrison-Hershfield Consultants of Ottawa have presented a draft cycle network and policy framework for discussion in February this year.  The members of this group include a housewife/mom who cycles everywhere,  a businessman/cyclist , a lady cyclist from the HPEd Health Unit, and myself, a retired teacher/cyclist.  We have met a few times with M-H to refine and discuss the constraints in this network and so far a tentative plan is evolving.  A few of the main constraints are the East-West connection along Dundas Street as part of the Trans Canada Trail,  a potential  401 underpass east of Hwy 37 in the Industrial Park to connect to the proposed 50 km South Hastings Trail (which recently received the $50K Molson's Cheer Grant) leading to Tweed.  Within the City limits, College Street East and West is a challenge, and a connection along Bridge Street West is needed for Loyalist College.  Our draft network is shown on the attached map.  We are keen on getting feedback and support from cyclists, pedestrians and transit riders.