Highway 401 a big concern for Belleville cyclists

Belleville’s proposed transportation master plan includes a network of cycling paths. Photo courtesy of the city of Belleville

By Suzanne Coolen

BELLEVILLE – Even with the snow falling outside, cycling was on everyone’s mind at an open house on the city’s proposed transportation master plan Thursday.

Galen Nuttall, a member of the cycling group Belleville on Bikes, came out to the event to see if any updates had been added to the cycling part of the plan. Like many, Nuttall is most concerned how cyclists will be able to get across Highway 401.

“I live north of the highway and I was a stay-at-home dad for several years and only had a bike to get around,” he said. “With two young kids, biking over the 401 as is, is a harrowing experience.”

Residents were asked to fill out feedback forms at the open house, the final of three held by the city over the past year.

Rod Bovay, director of engineering and development services for the city, said the feedback received from the previous two open houses focused mainly on one topic: bikes – particularly cycling around the 401.

Residents view Belleville’s proposed transportation master plan at an open house Thursday. Photo by Suzanne Coolen

“A lot of the feedback received from the last public meetings really focused on cycling and the barrier the 401 presents to the city. You have retail on the north side that people who live on the south side really want to get to and people who live on the north side who have trouble shopping south,” said Bovay.

The provincial ministry of transportation really doesn’t do anything to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists who need to cross the highway, he said.

Most of the feedback received on the transportation plan has been from avid cyclists and older people just wanting to be able to walk around the city, Bovay added.

The plan calls for a system of cycling paths for Belleville that would be constructed in three phases over a 20-year time span. The costs of the proposed bike system would be around $48 million.

The final draft of the transportation master plan is available on the city’s website. Public input is being sought until Jan. 22. The final draft will then be brought to council on Jan. 27.