Active transportation gets a boost
By Svjetlana Mlinarevichttp://www.portagedailygraphic.comportagedailygraphic.com/, QMI Agency | Sunday, July 14, 2013 3:22:13 CDT PM
http://www.portagedailygraphic.com/2013/07/14/active-transportation-gets-a-b...
During the last City of Portage la Prairie council meeting, councilors approved the construction of a 1,500-metre pathway to be built in the north end, July 8.
The limestone cycle/walkway will stretch from Berkley Avenue to 3rd Street NE and then at North Memorial Park from Oak Bay to 6th Avenue.
“It’s all part of trying to promote active transportation within Portage la Prairie. Not only to allow communities and members of our community to get out and get active, but it brings people together and it ties in all areas of our community,” said Coun. Diane Stasiuk, who spoke on behalf of transportation committee chair Coun. Brent Froese, as he was not in council.
The total cost for construction of the pathway is $17,500; $7,500 for labour and $10,000 for equipment.
“The $10,000 is an in-kind donation in terms of, it’s what we call an almost rental, to the citizens to be using our equipment. It’s not really a cost to the city. We’re providing the equipment for the work to be done,” she said.
Council has also earmarked $10,000 to hire a consultant to develop an active transportation network strategic plan. The plan is expected to be presented to them on Aug. 12.
The city has been looking at active transportation since the last election when the committee first approached them. The plan to connect all areas of the city by a pathway system will take years to compete, which will be done in phases, according to Stasiuk.
“It takes time. It takes money,” she said, adding there has not been a discussion yet on an on-road aspect of active transportation, such as a cycling path, but that it was clearly needed.
“You see that in more cities – Brandon, Winnipeg – bicycle traffic is becoming more popular and people are commuting to and from work and recreational activities and just getting around town on other forms of transportation. We have to get with the program,” said Stasiuk.
When asked if a public transportation system will be developed in Portage, Stasiuk said it was something that council has looked into since the last election. The Portage Community Revitalization Committee, seniors and families have also brought up the issue with councillors, according to Stasiuk.
“Perhaps we just need to find better ways of utilizing our existing shuttle and taxi service and not look at a public transportation system, per say. We need to look into that and we need to look at the feasibility of it. The city is not committed to it, but it’s certainly something that has been raised and will likely be raised in the next strategic planning process,” she said.
The north end pathway is expected to be completed by July 31.
svjetlana.mlinarevic@sunmedia.ca
Twitter@PDGSvjetlana