Making the city more bike-friendly could mean a couple of roads are going on a diet.
At the Nov. 9 Timmins council meeting, Michael Cullip of Tatham Engineering talked about what a road diet could mean for drivers and cyclists on Jubilee and Theriault.
“As diet implies, it’s basically taking something larger and making it smaller. In this case, particularly as it relates to Jubilee and the top half of Theriault, it’s taking that four-lane road, taking it down to three lanes, incorporating that centre turn lane to facilitate left turns and then with that … surplus road platform, let’s convert that into bicycle lanes,” he said.
The benefits, he said, include promoting active transportation, as well are reducing collisions and slowing down drivers.
Cullip said the traffic would slow because the lane reduction would be a more focussed approach. He said people tend to drive faster with less traffic volume and greater gaps in traffic.
To incorporate the road diet, director of public works and engineering Pat Seguin said there would minor work required from the city.
"On a yearly basis we have to repaint the lines so this would really be changing, repainting the lines to designate two through lanes and one turning lane on Ross/Jubilee and the cycling lanes on Theriault,” said Seguin.
Minor work to realign the curb and sidewalk near the entrance of the Sportsplex would also be required, along with signage. Seguin estimated the signs would be about $3,000 and would be installed by city crews. A report on the bike lanes and associated costs is expected at the Nov. 23 meeting.
A number of councillors spoke in favour of the changes, saying the roadwork would be transformational.
Coun. Michelle Boileau said it's a direction the city needs to be going.
“In my day job, in my line of work, I have the opportunity to meet many of the newcomers that are deciding to make Timmins their home and so working in immigration services and I can tell you that almost one of the first questions that I get from people that I meet are where can I buy a bike?” she said.
With so many roads needing upgrades across the city, Coun. Joe Campbell also asked where the bike lanes fit in with the roads priority list.
“The reality of the situation is, we have cyclists on our roads now,” responded Seguin.
By adding new lines to the road, Seguin said the city is enhancing safety for existing cyclists.
“Those conflict areas right now are not identified and there are a significant amount of cyclists that are on the road. As far as priorities, the cost of this is really just painting and some signage,” he said.
