It's getting easier for snowmobilers to access trails in the north and south parts of Timmins.
Council has approved the second phase of a multi-year trial program to make the city more snowmobile friendly.
It means snowmobiles are allowed on certain streets north and south of Algonquin Boulevard to access trails, gas stations, restaurants and accommodations. Snowmobiles will not be allowed downtown, on major roads, or streets around schools.
“I’m not a snowmobiler myself, I just happen to believe that this is really important for tourism in Timmins. We’re the natural place for these people to experience the winter,” said Mayor George Pirie.
The Timmins Snowmobile Club launched the project last winter.
The first phase allowed snowmobiles on some streets in Schumacher, Gold Centre, Porcupine, South Porcupine, Mountjoy and Connaught for the 2018/19 season. It also allowed access to the Hampton Inn by Hilton. The final phase is creating a city bylaw for snowmobile access to roads ahead of the 2020-21 season.
Last month, the club's Patrick Dzijacky talked to council about this year's program.
The maps presented at that meeting have been changed slightly to exclude the area around the Golden Manor.
Coun. Noella Rinaldo had some questions about Jade Avenue near O'Gorman High School being marked as accessible.
“I personally think it was just...a school zone area we missed,” said Dzijacky. “All the other school zones have been taken out, it’s an easy change for me to just mark that area off and we can update the maps later this evening.”
There are conditions for snowmobilers using the roads. They are:
- The driver must be at least 16 years old
- All operators have a valid license and insurance
- The speed limit for snowmobiles is 20 km an hour
- Access is only allowed from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
People are also asked not use Mattagami Region Conservation Authority walking trails, and not have exhaust modifications on their sled.
A public consultation in the areas affected will be held after the second-phase trial period as well, which was done for the first phase.
Drivers also have to obey the traffic laws.
“I think what the riders have to understand is traffic laws that relate to motorized vehicles are the same laws you have to follow for motorized snow vehicles. So if it’s a one-way street, you have to do the right direction on that one-way street,” said Dzijacky.
He said they'll start pushing reminders on social media.
If residents have issues with snowmobilers, he said to forward them to the snowmobile club or Timmins Police.
You can see the new streets open to sleds here.
