Sault city council looks for input on transportation from the community
The way Sault Ste. Marie's transportation system is envisioned is being reimagined.
“Most people do travel around Sault Ste Marie by car,” says Steve Turco, a senior planner with the city.
He says it is something the city is looking to change.
"A lot of that is because there isn’t really a viable or safe alternative to allow people to choose to leave their cars at home.”
The Soo Moves campaign is being influenced with feedback from a number of groups including the Sault Cycling Club.
Andre Riopel, the club's advocacy director, said there are changes needed from the ground up.
“The car comes first and then if there’s any room left over for pedestrians they might put a sidewalk on one side, and if there’s a little bit of room left we might put a bicycle lane on the other side,” he said.
“So it’s just flipping the cart on its head and giving the priority to pedestrians and cyclists.”
The campaign is aimed at learning where infrastructure improvements are needed for the safety and function of pedestrians and cyclists.
Riopel and the club have expressed their displeasure with the lack of bike lanes in the city's downtown and he said there also needs to be work done at major intersections that can be dangerous.
"We don't need to have every single street pedestrian friendly, but there are some that are actually really critical."
By visiting publicinput.com/SooMoves residents can complete a survey and add to a map of the area to show city staff exactly where they feel improvements are needed.
Turco told CTV News he is looking forward to hearing from the community.
“We understand that we have to create better connections to the west end of the community and also to the far east end of the community,” said Turco.
“We also want to look to see if there’s opportunities to create better connections to both Batchewana and Garden River First Nations.”
He added that they will be holding on-line and in-person discussions and are looking to hear from residents who aren't typically heard, such as the local homeless population.
Once consultation is complete, Turco aims to have recommendations on active transportation changes completed by the spring, awaiting approval from council.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.