New sidewalks are a big priority on the city’s 2017 agenda.
The city has heard growing demand for more sidewalks over the past three years. Members of the Edgewood PAC presented their concerns to council in November, and Immaculate Conception School Principal Donncha O’Callaghan voiced similar worries for the Westgate area at last night’s meeting.
To get going on these new walkways, Public Works General Manager Dave Dyer and staff are working on a pedestrian network plan.
“We plan to have that completed this year so that we will be able to have a better idea of the higher priority projects for sidewalks. We’re hoping that’ll be able to utilise and max out the most demand areas in the city.”
Council briefly discussed cutting roads maintenance funds and allocating that money to sidewalks. This idea could be discussed further during next week’s budget meetings.
Dyer adds new sidewalks can cost between $220 – $450 per linear metre, so before he can make any concrete plans, he needs to know how much money is set aside.
“We will look at all of these projects and determine how much we can get for the dollars and then we’ll be able to advise which project we’ll be able to proceed with.”
The city highlighted six school linkage projects that have been brought to its attention.
The City has completed just 1% of a 13-year-old sidewalk plan. There is 170 km planned, yet only 1.7 km completed. This excludes 2.4 km of paved trail along Tyner Blvd, maintenance on existing sidewalks, and new trails.
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