Although "if you build it, they will come" was written about a baseball diamond in an Iowa cornfield, it could very well have been writing about active transportation routes.
In March, the federal government pledged $400 million towards the country’s first active transportation fund, and the development of Canada’s first National Active Transportation Strategy. The purpose of the strategy, according to its official website, is to "co-ordinate active transportation investments that reflect best practice planning, design, regulations, and standards across levels of government, Indigenous communities, not-for-profits and the private sector."
The announcement was great news for longtime proponents of AT. The Winnipeg Trails Association called the announcement: "Excellent news for all Canadian communities at a time we need it most."
Local politicians also welcomed the announcement, noting a number of projects across the northeast that could benefit from the fund, though most expressed a cautious optimism that the money will find its way onto northeast streets.
Daniel Blaikie, MP for Elmwood-Transcona, noted that northeast Winnipeg is home to a number of great active transportation routes, like the Northeast Pioneers Greenway and the Transcona Trail. However, getting from one to the other remains problematic.
"These options help people engage in activities or commute to work without use of a vehicle," Blaikie said. "We need to work on those connecting nodes, so people can use that whole network in a seamless way that they can feel safe and comfortable and use a network that allows them to explore the community."
Coun. Shawn Nason (Transcona) echoed those sentiments, adding that he would like to see funding go towards a number of projects in Transcona that have been delayed for too long, including an AT pathway along either Regent or Reenders to Panet Road.
"Is there a way to figure that out in that section, a dedicated way to cycling?" Nason said, noting that finishing that route had been included in the 2018 budget, but was removed at the last minute.
Nason would also like to see the AT route on Pandora, which currently ends at Day Street, completed, as well as a route through Canterbury Park connecting to the Transcona Trail.
"If there’s a windfall, I’d like to see those connections made," Nason said.
Coun. Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan), who sits on the city’s standing policy committee on infrastructure renewal and public works, said he’d like to access support "to plant additional trees along the Northeast Pioneer’s Greenway in North Kildonan."
Coun. Jason Schreyer (Elmwood-East Kildonan) added that there are a pair of studies ongoing in his ward to improve bike routes, particularly along Roch Street.
"I’m always into experiments, because if we don’t try things we can’t discuss them," Schreyer said.
"What’s missing in the area is actually remarkably simple," said Michel Durand-Wood, an executive with the Glenelm Neighbourhood Association and author of the popular blog Dear Winnipeg... "We just need to focus on making it easier for residents to get to the stuff in our neighbourhood, like local businesses, services, parks, etc."
Durand-Wood would like to see an investment in "more space for people," rather than cars, in local neighbourhoods.
"Do we want a neighbourhood that is vibrant, accessible to all including seniors, children and those with disabilities, with tons of thriving local businesses that are easy to walk to?" he said. "Or do we want a place that is fast to drive through?"
For more information on the federal program, visit infrastructure.gc.ca/trans/active-actif-eng.html