$22 million Victoria Bridge replacement span panned by cycling advocates
Avid cyclist Paula Coutinho takes a full traffic lane when crossing the Victoria Bridge on Ridout connecting Old South to the downtown.
She says because the bridge’s lack of bike lanes makes it a pinch point that can intimidate less experienced cyclists.
“They’re afraid to cycle on the road with the traffic,” Coutinho explains. “So if we can do more things to make it safe we’ll get more people out riding.”
City hall will be replacing the 96-year-old bridge this year, but details of the $22 million project is sparking pushback from some cycling advocates.
“I actually feel less safe with these designs,” says Andrew Hunniford, general manager of the London Bicycle Cafe.
The new span will be divided into a sidewalk, a one-direction painted bike lane, a multi-use pathway that pedestrians and cyclists must share and two 3.5 metre wide driving lanes.
Hunniford believes the wide traffic lanes will encourage even higher vehicle speeds, “In that future state, those lanes are wider, that traffic is faster, and I don’t have protection (cycling in the bike lane).”
The city’s engineering department says the design is now finalized.
Garfield Dales, managing director of transportation planning and design, explains that the lane configuration was developed during the 2017 environmental assessment which included opportunities for public input.
“It was trying to find the best way to accommodate all those users and also balance some practical limitations like the amount of right-of-way that’s available,” Dales tells CTV News.
Pending city council approval, construction of the new bridge will begin this spring, and be completed in mid-2023.
Replacement of the Victoria Bridge is scheduled to avoid conflicting road closures with replacement of the CN Rail overpass at Wharncliffe Road.
An online public meeting about the bridge replacement will be held by city hall on Jan. 27.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.