Design workshop sessions on May 18 and 19 open to all Guelph residents
Guelph, Ont., May 10, 2016—The City has started an in-depth study to examine traffic patterns, neighbourhood resident concerns, and active transportation options for improvements to Downey Road.
The City is hosting two sessions for the project’s first design workshop on May 18 and 19. Interested residents will be able to review and comment on proposed design and traffic calming options at the sessions.
Paradigm Transportation Solutions Ltd. is conducting the Downey Road transportation improvement study on behalf of the City. The study aims to address local concerns about traffic volumes and speed, and implement the Council-approved Cycling Master Plan. The study’s recommendations will include the addition of bike lanes and traffic calming measures.
“We have done much of the background work and it is now time to re-engage both local residents and the wider Guelph community,” said Allister McIlveen, Manager of Transportation Services for the City. “Working with our consultant, we have come up with different design options that will address the traffic and safety concerns we heard from local residents, and meet the needs of all road users— drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.”
The study area refers to the section of Downey Road between Woodland Glen Drive and Teal Drive. The objectives of the study include assembling and reviewing transportation data in the Kortright Hills West community to:
- Estimate the local traffic impacts of:
- closing Downey Road to thru-traffic;
- downgrading Downey Road classification to a local road; and
- maintaining Downey Road as an arterial road
- Recommend the appropriate roadway classification of Downey Road;
- Propose options to reduce speeding and to enhance the pedestrian and cyclist experience on Downey Road; and
- Engage the public throughout the study to collect their input and include them in the process.
Another design workshop will be held in late June when residents can provide feedback on the final design options that incorporate the preferred traffic calming elements identified through the workshop held this month.
Initiated in 2013, the Downey Road repaving project was deferred to allow the City to gather more community feedback after local residents expressed concerns about community safety along Downey Road. In July 2014, Guelph City Council directed staff to report back with a design for Downey Road that includes bicycle lanes and traffic calming elements, as well as a recommendation on the classification of Downey Road.
Design workshop details
Identical workshop sessions are offered at two locations for greater convenience to participants. Anyone interested can attend either session:
Wednesday, May 18
2–4 p.m.
City Hall, 1 Carden Street
Thursday, May 19
6:30–8:30 p.m.
Kortright Hills Public School gymnasium, 23 Ptarmigan Drive
For more information about the project, visit guelph.ca/construction and look for the Downey Road Transportation Improvement Study link.
For more information
Allister McIlveen, Manager, Transportation Services
Engineering and Capital Infrastructure Services
519-822-1260 extension 2275
allister.mcilveen@guelph.ca