Subject to council approval at its meeting this afternoon (Monday), Phase 1 of the rehabilitation of Fairview Avenue should begin next spring.
The stretch of roadway involved is from Talbot Street south to Warehouse Street.
The major undertaking will include removal of the Fairview Avenue bridge over the former CASO right-of-way, south of Talbot Street.
Fairview Avenue would be reduced from four lanes to two, with a two-way centre turn lane. Also included is a cycle lane on each side of the roadway.
Phase 2 would include the roadway south from Warehouse Street to Elm Street, with work to be completed in the summer of 2026.
Fairview is a busy traffic corridor with an average annual daily traffic volume of 8,000 near Elm Street up to 18,000 vehicles per day north of Wellington Street.
In a report to city council staff advise, “The proposed three-lane design balances mobility and safety without significantly compromising the overall corridor vehicular capacity in the ultimate 20-year planning horizon.”
As to a fire or police emergency the report continues, “A three-lane configuration provides a clear, predictable, and practical path of travel for emergency vehicles in the center turn lane. Research provided by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has shown that four-lane to three-lane conversions have no measurable impact on emergency response times.
“Garbage collection, transit buses, snow removal, street sweeping, and delivery stops may periodically interrupt the flow of traffic.”
The report advises, “The province has recently passed new legislation through Bill 212 Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024 that requires those municipalities who are prescribed by subsequent regulation to submit information to the Ministry of Transportation for approval prior to implementing a bicycle lane that would reduce the number of travel lanes available to motor vehicles.
“While details of the submission requirements have not been released, the legislation indicates the ministry may consider whether the addition of a bicycle lane would unduly diminish the orderly movement of motor vehicle traffic.
“The Fairview Avenue Corridor Study demonstrates that there is not an excessive or undue impact on the flow of traffic along Fairview Avenue and positions the city well should it be prescribed by subsequent regulation to require Ministry approval.
“In the meantime, staff will monitor communications from the province to determine if subsequent regulation would apply to the City of St. Thomas or the Fairview Avenue Rehabilitation project.”
The cost of the Fairview Avenue rebuild would be in the range of $12 million, with $7 million earmarked for Phase 1.
That amount is to be included in the draft 2025 capital budget submission to council.
