THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay is looking to the future planning the master transportation plan. The TMP will be a planning and policy document to guide the City’s transportation infrastructure investments for the next 20 years and beyond. The study will develop a practical, long-term plan for the City’s transportation system for both goods movement and meet the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders and motorists.
Significant changes are being proposed to the transportation policies and the network.
The city hosted a meeting at the Italian Hall on October 17th. Councillor at Large Frank Pullia shares his views on the meeting.
There are a lot of innovative ideas being tried across the city. The new crosswalks, three of the new ones have been installed across the city.
Crosswalks
While the Thunder Bay Police Service has produced an educational piece on CrossWalks for drivers, it appears there are still issues that drivers are having to understand the new legislation. Likely it will take some tweaking of the crosswalk lighting to make sure drivers can properly see the lights.
Thunder Bay’s third Pedestrian Crossover has been activated today at the intersection of Simpson Street and Ogden Street.
Motorists and cyclists using Simpson Street must now stop when a pedestrian is waiting to cross and the crossover lights start flashing. Crossovers make it easy, safe and convenient for people to cross the street.
“There are several advantages to installing pedestrian crossovers in high traffic areas,” said Rick Harms – Project Engineer. “Crossovers are cheaper to implement than signalized intersections and only activate on demand.”
This crossover will allow area residents, students, and staff and patients of NorWest Community Health Centres to arrive safely at their destination.
“NorWest Community Health Centers is pleased to be one of the locations selected by Thunder Bay City Council for a pedestrian crossover,” said Juanita Lawson, Chief Executive Officer – NorWest Community Health Centres. “We appreciate that the City is standardizing the pedestrian crossovers and that efforts are being made to increase safe and convenient crossings for individuals attending NorWest Community Health Centres, Ogden Community School and local businesses in our community.”
To learn more about pedestrian crossovers, or to provide input on where you would like to see one, visit: crossoverready.com
Bike Lanes
Along Court Street from Bay Street to John Street the new roadway has both bike and pedestrians covered. This approach takes bike riders off of the roadway and off of the sidewalks. It is a very innovative way of enhancing the transportation and encouraging bikes on our city streets.
