Ontario is providing $325,000 to North Bay and $71,741 to Callander over the next two years to help build new, or improve existing, cycling infrastructure through the Ontario Municipal Cycling Infrastructure Program.
North Bay will build 1.9 km of mostly off-road or in-boulevard cycling facilities, which will help close the gap between the northern and southern sections of Kate Pace Way and establish continuous trail system.
These improvements will allow people to cycle across town with limited interaction with motor vehicles.
Callander will extend paved shoulders and build an off-road path for cycling and walking to fill a 0.6 kilometre gap in the local network of cycling routes. These improvements will help safely connect the local network of cycling routes to the Kate Pace Way, part of North Bay's network of cycling and walking paths, and it forms part of regional cycling routes as well as the Trans Canada Trail.
Funds will be made available in April. The North Bay project is planned to be completed in phases in 2017 and 2018.
"Discovery Routes has been working on these initiatives for probably 10 years behind the scenes," said Mark King, the chairman of the local Discovery Trails group. "It's really big news for both Callander and North Bay because it adds to the trail system especially on the west end between the lakefront and Gormanville."
King says there is a tentative plan to us city streets in the meantime but will probably use the OVR-CPR right of way eventually, then following Harriet Street. There is another opportunity between the old Kenroc site at the waterfront an the lakefront itself.
Eligible projects for funding include the installation or improvement of on-road cycling lanes, off-road cycling and walking paths, cycling-specific traffic signals and signs, active transportation bridges and bike racks.
The Ontario Municipal Cycling Infrastructure Program is helping implement #CycleON: Ontario’s Cycling Strategy, the government’s 20-year vision to encourage the growth of cycling and improve safety for cyclists across the province.
“Completion of this project is another step by the City of North Bay to improve the accessibility of our City for local and visiting cycling enthusiasts and supports our objective of promoting an active healthy living and promoting our City as a great place to visit,” said Mayor Al McDonald.
“We are pleased to receive this funding as it achieves a key objective of our Active Transportation Plan and will help eliminate a gap in our local network of cycling routes," added Mayor of Callander, Hec Lavigne. "With support from our partners including, in particular Discovery Routes Trails Organization, Callander provides a key link to a number of regional cycling routes including the Trans Canada Trail, Powassan Circle Route, the Corbeil Circle Route, and the proposed new Voyageur Cycling Route.”
- Projects selected for funding most effectively aligned with the program objectives: improving connections between local cycling networks, promoting safety, enabling recreation and tourism, encouraging innovation, research and data collection, supporting partnerships and improving awareness of cycling as a viable transportation mode.
- Almost three million Ontarians hop on their bikes at least once a week during the spring, summer and fall and many cycle year-round.
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