$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
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.