There are several reasons for this decision.

• There are fewer side-streets and driveways for the mup to cross on the east side, so from a safety perspective – this is the preferred location.
• The overhead hydro on the west side would be extremely expensive to relocate, whereas the east side is primarily made up of supporting guy poles which can be relocated relatively cost effectively.
• City property on the west side is very constrained around the mall near the Old Abbey roundabout.

The 2021 Transportation Master Plan (TMP) update recommended a number of streets for physically separated cycling infrastructure to support safer cycling around the city. Staff reviewed options for separated cycling and determined a multi-use path would best serve the street given the various constraints along this corridor. The sidewalks were constructed back in the mid-late 1970’s, so more than 50 years old now.

In order to maintain a consistent 3m wide multi-use path and allow for some snow storage, the bike lane will be removed at the plaza and northbound cyclists will be diverted to the new path.

The Davenport Road corridor is a route along the Primary Network. The Primary Network is the backbone of the network and consists of a grid of important cross-town routes. Essentially, these routes are the top of the hierarchy and would typically be prioritized for standard maintenance and lighting among other important elements. If the project budget cannot accommodate trail lighting at this time, the design will allow for its inclusion in the future.

Providing a MUP at this location will facilitate the movement of cyclists to/from the low stress streets in the Colonial Acres neighbourhood. Additionally, the Transportation Master Plan recommended physically separated cycling on Lexington Road between Davenport and University Avenue, which will be a future city project.

The width of the new multi-use path (mup) will take up twice as much space as the sidewalk it will replace. This will have an impact on trees along the east boulevard. Discussions with City’s Forestry department has identified a number of trees along this corridor that are in poor condition and will need to be removed. New trees will be planted along this corridor and within the local community to offset those trees removed.  

No. The snow clearing responsibilities have not changed from what occurs today. Those properties that clear the sidewalk under the City’s Snow and Ice bylaw today will continue to clear the pathway in the future.

Staff had analyzed whether a formal crossing was warranted in the location between the Old Abbey roundabout and Kingscourt Drive, however, based on provincial warrants, a crossing is not justified at this time. Staff will continue to monitor and re-assess this location in the future.

Within the next few weeks, you may see a contractor working on behalf of the City conducting site investigations. The purpose of this work is to collect geotechnical (soils) information to confirm what is located within the area of the proposed multi-use path. This information is required to help progress the design.