Smoother road aheadCity has long list of street repairs, new
bike-and-pedestrian projects slated for completion this year
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/smoother-road-ahead-377671791.html
Mild spring weather has led to an early start to Winnipeg’s 2016
construction season, which will see the city spend $105 million on road
repairs.
In March, city council approved a plan to conduct major repairs or "mill
and fill" rehabilitations on 15 regional streets, most notably Pembina
Highway, where $11.7 million is tabbed for the stretch between Grant Avenue
and Confusion Corner. Two sections of St. James Street are getting a
combined $9.3-million makeover, while $4.75 million will be poured into
Logan Avenue.
The rest of the city’s road-repair cash will be spent on smaller regional
road-repair projects, local residential streets, back lanes, alleys and
gravel roads. The city also plans to spend $4.1 million to create new
sidewalks and bicycle corridors.
The early snowmelt has allowed the city to get a head start on the work,
beginning with the completion of a handful of leftover 2015 jobs —
including the rehabilitation of Selkirk Avenue — and the largest of the new
city projects.
‘"We’re excited the weather has co-operated this year. It’s one of the
earliest go dates we’ve given to the contracting industry," said Lester
Deane, director of Winnipeg’s public works department.
On Tuesday, council’s public works committee will consider a pair of
reports outlining the 2016 list of residential street repairs and new
bike-and-pedestrian projects. Once approved, those will get underway as
well, Deane said.
The smaller residential-street repairs rarely fall behind schedule, said
St. Norbert Coun. Janice Lukes, who chairs the public works committee.
"Local streets are pretty bread-and-butter. A lot of that is just
rehabilitation. The industry’s hungry and ready to go."
Here’s a list of major road repairs and new bike-and-pedestrian projects
scheduled to be completed in 2016, according to budget documents and the
reports headed to the public works committee:
*1. Major regional street reconstructions*
Pembina Highway (Grant Avenue to Osborne Street): $11.7 million
St. James Street (Maroons Road to Portage Avenue, Sargent Avenue to Ellice
Avenue): $9.3 million
Logan Avenue (Blake Street to Keewatin Street): $4.75 million
Keewatin Street (Logan Avenue to Notre Dame Avenue): $2.4 million
Corydon Avenue, westbound (Montrose Street to Niagara Street): $2.05 million
Sargent Avenue (Victor Street to Arlington Street): $1.8 million
Archibald/Watt Street (80 Archibald St. to Nairn Avenue): $1.5 million
Maryland Street (Portage Avenue to Broadway): $800,000
Academy Road (Stafford Street to Harrow Street): $700,000
*2. Regional "mill & fill" work*
St. Mary’s Road (St. Anne’s Road to Lyndale Drive): $1.6 million
Inkster Boulevard (Keewatin Street to Sheppard Street): $1.6 million
Academy Road (Maryland Bridge to Stafford Street, Campbell Street to
Renfrew Street): $1.5 million
Watt Street (Chalmers Avenue to Nairn Avenue): $850,000
Henderson Highway, northbound (Leighton Avenue to McLeod Avenue,
Springfield Road to Whellams Lane): $800,000
Notre Dame Avenue, eastbound (Wall Street to Arlington Street): $750,000
Maryland Street (Ellice Avenue to Portage Avenue): $700,000
Lagimodiere Boulevard, southbound (Dugald Road to Rue Marion): $250,000
*3. Residential street renewals*
Citywide (including lane and sidewalk renewals): $44 million
(Click on the interactive map at winnipegfreepress.com to find out if your
street will be fixed this season.)
*4. Major new bike lanes, paths and corridors*
Pembina Highway buffered bike lanes (Osborne Street to Grant Avenue): $4
million, included in Pembina rehab budget
Forks-Assiniboine Avenue cycle track connection: $475,000
Waverley Street multi-use pathway (Bishop Grandin Boulevard to Scurfield
Boulevard): $447,000
Northeast Pioneers Greenway-Archibald Street connection: $350,000
*5. New sidewalks*
Smith Street (Graham Avenue to St. Mary Avenue): $565,000
Lagimodiere Boulevard (East Mint Place to Burmac Road): $225,000
Downing Street (Wellington Avenue to Sargent Park Place): $150,000
Howden Road (Humber Road to Betournay Street): $150,000
*6. Other street work*
Thin bituminous overlays: $5 million
Granular roads: $4 million
Alley renewals: $2.75 million
bartley.kives(a)freepress.mb.ca
Cycling trails expected to be top priority in Toronto bid for federal cash
http://www.metronews.ca/news/toronto/2016/04/19/cycling-trails-could-be-tor…
It's expected to be the city's first official request for a slice of the
$60 billion in new infrastructure funding.
Cycling and active transportation projects are expected to be among the
city's first request for federal infrastructure money.
Councillors are planning to ask the federal government for funding to
extend the West Toronto Railpath and improve the East Don Trail.
It’s expected to be the city’s first official request for a slice of the
$60 billion in new infrastructure funding promised by the new
Liberal government, said Coun. Jaye Robinson, chair of council’s public
works and infrastructure committee.
Both projects are part of a larger plan to improve Toronto’s network of
multi-use trails. The federal government has made it clear there will be
money available for green infrastructure projects, said Robinson.
“We’re ready to roll these out, but the issue is we don’t have the funding
to do it,” Robinson said. “We have a great vision and ideology about active
transportation in our city, but the funding seems to perpetually be the
hold up.”
City officials aren’t clear yet on the process of applying to get money,
but Robinson has introduced a council motion aimed at allowing the city to
get a jump on the process.
“We want to hit the ground running on these discussions and make sure we’re
front and centre on this issue and not being overlooked,” she said.
The Liberal government’s pledge for new infrastructure spending extends
over 10 years and is on top of on top of the commitments made by the
previous government.
It starts with $5 billion over five years for necessary upgrades to
municipal water and “green” infrastructure projects that can be implemented
quickly. The government has promised to cover 50 per cent of most project
requests.
*About the projects*
— The West Toronto Railpath Extension is a planned multi-use trail that
connects the existing West Toronto Railpath from Dundas Street West, along
the Kitchener GO rail line, to Fort York. It would cost $23 million and
construction is scheduled to start next year, but the city hasn’t found the
money to pay for it yet.
— The East Don Trail project would link existing trails in the Don Valley,
giving more people access to the valley’s trail network. It will cost $26
million and is also unfunded.
** Please share widely **
*10th Annual Jane's Walk celebrates diversity and vibrancy of
neighbourhoods across Winnipeg*
WINNIPEG Tuesday, April 19, 2016 – On Friday May 6th, Saturday May 7th, and
Sunday May 8th the tenth annual Jane's Walk is strolling into town. On this
weekend, Winnipeggers can choose from more than a dozen guided walks across
the city presented in an innovative and uniquely neighbourly fashion. Free
walks held on the first weekend of May each year are led by locals who want
to create a space for residents to talk about what matters to them in the
places they live and work.
Jane’s Walk celebrates the ideas and legacy of urbanist Jane Jacobs by
getting people out exploring their neighbourhoods and meeting their
neighbours. Free walks held on the first weekend of May each year are led
by locals who want to create a space for residents to talk about what
matters to them in the places they live and work.
Walks are being planned in neighbourhoods across the city. Walk details
including start times, routes and the names of walk leaders are being
posted online at janeswalk.org/canada/winnipeg. New walks are posted every
week between now and May 6. Check back often.
*** Friendly reminder regarding tomorrow's webinar ***
Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg invite you to join us for a local
viewing of the APBP webinar: *Shared and Separated Off-street Paths*.
The webinar viewing takes place in the EcoCentre boardroom (3rd floor, 303
Portage Ave) and will be followed by group discussion of local
applications.
RSVPs appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then!
cheers,
Beth
* * * * *
*Shared and Separated Off-street PathsWednesday, April 20 | 2-3pm CDT*
Off-street pathways are an important component of a comprehensive and
effective active transportation network. Differences in speeds and uses
among cyclists and pedestrians can create conflict. This webinar will
explore current practice in the U.S., Canada and elsewhere related to
deciding whether sharing or separation is best.
*Speakers*:
- Bob Patten, Toole Design Group
- Bartek Komorowski, Velo Quebec
- Lennart Nout, Mobycon
--
*Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options
<http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre
<http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/>
<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>
3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3772 | Find us here
<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>
Green Action Centre is your green living hub
Support our work by becoming a member
<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at
CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/>
Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg invite you to join us for a local
viewing of the APBP webinar: *Shared and Separated Off-street Paths*.
The webinar viewing takes place in the EcoCentre boardroom (3rd floor, 303
Portage Ave) and will be followed by group discussion of local
applications.
RSVPs appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then!
cheers,
Beth
* * * * *
*Shared and Separated Off-street PathsWednesday, April 20 | 2-3pm CDT*
Off-street pathways are an important component of a comprehensive and
effective active transportation network. Differences in speeds and uses
among cyclists and pedestrians can create conflict. This webinar will
explore current practice in the U.S., Canada and elsewhere related to
deciding whether sharing or separation is best.
*Speakers*:
- Bob Patten, Toole Design Group
- Bartek Komorowski, Velo Quebec
- Lennart Nout, Mobycon
--
*Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options
<http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre
<http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/>
<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>
3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3772 | Find us here
<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>
Green Action Centre is your green living hub
Support our work by becoming a member
<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at
CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/>
Lead editorial in today's Globe:
(A shame Winnipeg doesn't have a transportation authority that takes a
comprehensive view like Metrolink does.)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/why-dont-kids-walk-to-scho
ol-any-more/article29546909/
Children aren't walking or cycling to school as much as they used to, says a
recent study from the Greater Toronto Area transportation agency Metrolinx.
Who's surprised?
The streets around our junior education hubs become dependably gridlocked
when legions of dutiful, well-meaning parents perform the mandatory drop-off
and pick-up. The school run has turned into a frustrating crawl as
distracted chauffeurs bob and weave for a prime piece of curb-blocking real
estate so their offspring don't have to make too long or dangerous a trek
from the car door to the school entrance.
.
But the convenience offered by the car carries many costs. Active children
are healthier, more alert and more independent than classmates who depend on
door-to-door car service. Schools that are pedestrian-centred destinations
rather than glorified parking lots enhance the neighbourhoods they're meant
to serve. And neighbourhoods with lots of pedestrians are vibrant and safe
communities in ways that places with barren sidewalks are not.
And the more children who get to school under their own steam, the fewer
cars on the roads - Metrolinx estimates that 20 per cent of the vehicles in
peak morning traffic are doing the school run. So the war on the car and the
pursuit of knowledge turn out to be inextricably bound. .
“The main message emerging from this new comprehensive global assessment is that premature death and disease can be prevented through healthier environments – and to a significant degree. Analysing the latest data on the environment-disease nexus and the devastating impact of environmental hazards and risks on global health, backed up by expert opinion, this report covers more than 100 diseases and injuries.”
Here is a comprehensive report to support advocacy efforts related to the built environment. See pages 69 onwards for physical activity evidence and road injuries. Including:
“Estimates based on figures from Norway show that a variety of road improvements are of proven cost-benefit: €1 spent on simple road markings saves society €1.50, €1 spent on upgrading marked pedestrian crossings saves €14, pedestrian bridges or underpasses save €2.50 for every €1 spent and guard rails along the roadside save €10 for every €1 spent (European Transport Safety Council, 2003; Sethi et al, 2007). Further data from Norway indicate that the socioeconomic benefits of establishing a coherent network of routes for pedestrians and cyclists are at least four to five times the costs; area-wide traffic-calming measures show benefits 15% higher than costs, and the introduction of pedestrianized streets is estimated to be 20% higher than the costs (Elvik et al, 2009).”
http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/204585/1/9789241565196_eng.pdf?ua=1
Sarah Prowse
Healthy Public Policy Specialist
2nd floor - 490 Hargrave Street
Winnipeg, MB R3A 0X7
Telephone 204 801 3255
Fax 204 940-2690
Email sprowse(a)wrha.mb.ca<mailto:sprowse@wrha.mb.ca>
Bike racks are available in front of the building at the corner of Hargrave and McDermot.
Plan your Winnipeg Transit trip: http://winnipegtransit.com/en/navigo
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[Don't you just love all the work being done on cycling and walking by the
folks at ITE Manitoba? If you are interested in learning more about Vision
Zero (which is about more than biking and walking of course), see below. -
Anders]
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Chapman, Jennifer (MIT) <Jennifer.Chapman(a)gov.mb.ca>
Date: Wed, Apr 6, 2016 at 1:09 PM
Subject: ITE Luncheon Notice - April 21, 2016
To:
ITE Members & Friends:
Attached is the notice for our next ITE Manitoba Section luncheon at the
Roundtable Restaurant, to be held on Thursday, April 21. The speaker this
month will be Rebecca Paterniak, Transport Infrastructure Specialist at
Fireseeds North Infrastructure. Rebecca will be speaking about Vision
Zero, a world-wide road safety approach.
Further details can be found in the attachment.
We hope to see you there!
*Jennifer Chapman, P. Eng.*
Traffic Analysis Engineer
Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation
420-215 Garry St.
Winnipeg, MB R3C 3P3
Ph: 204-391-1762