Master transportation plan looks at cycling options for the city

By Suzanne Coolen

BELLEVILLE – The cost of constructing a system of bike paths for Belleville would be $42 million to $48 million, city council’s planning committee has been told.

The estimate was included in a presentation to the committee this week on a new transportation master plan for the city. That plan is in the final stages and will go before council at the end of January. It includes road and cycling options for the city up to the year 2031.

Robert Jakes, a member of the cycling advocacy group Belleville on Bikes, says bike paths are important for economic growth. Companies look at things like transportation when considering relocating to a city, he said.

“In Belleville, in order to compete in business we look at ways to attract professionals to the area. If they don’t have a driver’s licence and they want to live in a city that is walkable and has means of transportation other than cars, Belleville’s not fitting the bill right now,” Jakes added.

The transportation master plan will be presented to the public at the Quinte Wellness Center early next month before it goes before council.

More information about the plan is available here.