Recent bicycle lane legislation adopted by the province has thrown a monkey wrench into the city’s rehabilitation of Fairview Avenue.
Since the project would involve the removal of a lane of traffic to allow for cycle lanes, provincial approval may be required.
The province has 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.
As a result the city is proposing to proceed with Phase 1. This section stretches south from Talbot Street to Warehouse Street and would include the removal of the Fairview Avenue bridge over the former CASO right-of-way, south of Talbot Street.
Phase 2 would include the roadway south from Warehouse Street to Elm Street.
Included in the project is reducing the roadway from four lanes to two with a two-way centre turn lane, intersection improvements, upgrades to the watermain, storm drainage and sanitary sewers and enhancements to the active transportation network.
This would entail a cycle lane on both sides of Fairview Avenue.
Phase 2 would not proceed until clarification is received from the province.
The entire project is subject to 2025 budget approval with deliberations beginning next week.
The bill for the undertaking would be in the range of $12 million, with $7 million earmarked for Phase 1.
You can read more on the project here.
