City council approved the motion to move the evaluation of the corridor to the second quarter of next year, with a vote of 8-0.
Published Sep 15, 2023 • 3 minute read
After being in the works for four years, the Saskatchewan Drive Corridor Project has been referred back to administration after an unanimous vote from city council on Wednesday.
Two delegates spoke to the contents of the plan, raising concern that despite the cited commitment to encouraging other modes of “active” transportation like walking or cycling, the corridor design still focuses strongly on vehicular needs.
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Regina Leader-Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Regina Leader-Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors.
Article content
Jonathan Lorenc, from the Cathedral Planning Advisory Committee, questioned if incorporating one-way bike lanes or a pedestrian sidewalk on the north side of the street will achieve the goal of “activating” alternate transportation options.
He said crosswalk infrastructure will be even more necessary to maintain the safety, which is at odds with other goals that posit Sask. Drive as a “key gateway” to downtown for motorists.
“Just this year, there have been multiple accidents on 13th Ave. (and Saskatchewan Drive),” said Lorenc. “One killing a member of our community and another crashing into infrastructure on an intersection that has high pedestrian traffic.”
Lorenc added that many businesses along the corridor depend of foot-traffic to get customers through the door, by adding a motor-vehicle-centred corridor, bars, restaurants and shops could be at risk.
He also speculated increasing pedestrian or cycling cross-traffic is likely to drive motorists to shift their habits to using other streets to traverse downtown, like 11th and 12th Avenue. This would put pressures on residential streets not optimized for that traffic volume.
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Advertisement 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Coun. Lori Bresciani (Ward 4) said that there was a lack of engagement with those on Saskatchewan Drive.
“We want to make sure that we get it right,” said Bresciani, adding that a handful of business owners along Saskatchewan Drive came to council, saying that they were “not engaged.”
According to the report, engagement began in 2019.
Ward 5 Coun. John Findura proposed a motion that council refer the project until further consultation with landowners, stakeholders including community associations and the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District.
“I think we need to take a much deeper look a the corridor,” Findura told council. “We are building for the future.” Findura added that council should focus on “doing things right” the first time to avoid costs.
By speaking with local businesses, Findura said that many business owners along the proposed corridor are concerned about what the increased volume of traffic could mean for their future.
Initially, Wednesday’s motion sought for Design Regina, the city’s official community plan (OCP) be amended to include the corridor revitalization plan and its priories, as outlined.
Advertisement 4
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
To do so also called for accommodations in the existing Downtown, Cathedral and Core Area Neighbourhood Plans, giving precedence to the Sask. Drive Corridor Plan where conflict arises in areas like zoning or development.
The current neighbourhood plans have “outdated policies” in relation to land use, multimodal transportation and public realm amenities along Saskatchewan Drive, said administration’s report.
The final draft, as presented, is to be a policy guide to direct infrastructure upgrades and position the corridor for future growth and engagement over the next 30 years.
Work on the Saskatchewan Drive Corridor Project was to start in 2024, beginning with Phase 1 of three, on the east end of the identified three-kilometre project zone.
City council approved the motion to move the evaluation of the corridor to the second quarter of next year, with a vote of 8-0.
AnAmato@Postmedia.com
Related Stories
Sask. Drive Corridor plan coming before city council Wednesday
Residents calling for wider lanes, better pedestrian experience along Sask. Drive corridor
With some online platforms blocking access to the news upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark leaderpost.com and sign up for our newsletters here so we can keep you informed.
>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : Leader Post – https://leaderpost.com/news/local-news/city-hall/sask-drive-corridor-project-sent-back-to-administration-due-to-lack-of-consultation-safety-concerns