Master Plan Details Development of Trails/Bikeways Network
Fredericton, NB (October 15, 2007) - A 20-year plan to develop a fully integrated network of trails and bikeways for non-motorized transportation throughout the city was presented to City Council today.
The Trails / Bikeways Master Plan envisions a comprehensive 227 kilometre-network of trails, bikeways, parks, environmental and recreation corridors and city streets. Commissioned by Council last December, the Master Plan was prepared by consultants SGE Acres Ltd. of Halifax, in association with Marshall Macklin Monaghan of Toronto.
"It's all about Active Transportation, a healthier and more environmentally-friendly way of moving about the City," said Mayor Brad Woodside. "The consultant has found that our existing trails system is very good but if we are serious about using it as an alternative transportation network there are some things we need to do."
The Master Plan recommends the integration of paved bike lanes and road shoulders, multi-use hard and soft surface trails into the current trails system. It also suggested the idea of constructing a second pedestrian crossing of the St. John River, utilizing the old Carleton Street Bridge piers, as well as a pedestrian crossing of Route 8 between Skyline Acres and the University of New Brunswick.
The cost of the initial five years of implementation of the Master Plan is estimated at $2.8 million, or $565,000 per year. To fully implement all the recommendations would cost an estimated $16 million over 20 years.
"There are things in this plan we can take into consideration as we go about our regular maintenance and infrastructure renewal programs, " said Mayor Woodside. "This Master Plan demonstrates quite clearly how we can move forward and develop something that will really be special and unique and add to the high quality of life we already enjoy."
The Trails / Bikeways Master Plan responds to existing municipal planning documents including the City's Municipal Plan, which outlines broad guidelines for future development of the City. It also builds on the City's Active Transportation Initiative, which has been in place since January 2006. Active Transportation relies on the use of human-propelled means including walking, skiing, cycling, in-line skating and jogging, to travel about the City. It includes mobility challenged users in non-emission, motorized wheelchairs.
Fredericton residents and user groups were given an opportunity to provide input into the Master Plan during public stakeholder consultation meetings held last summer. Responses to public surveys indicated that the old train bridge across the St. John River is the most outstanding feature of the City's current trail system. The biggest challenge facing the trail system was seen as the steep slope of hill area on the south side of the City.
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Media Contact: John White, Communications, City of Fredericton, (506) 460-2227.
