Newsletter 44 - Eastbridge.info

4 AU TU M N E D I TI O N | S E P TE M B E R 2010 | I S S U E 4 4
C I T Y U P DATE
News from the Ward
By: Diane Freeman, Councillor
It seems difficult to believe that
the summer is half over as I write
this and that the children will likely
be in school by the time you are
reading this. There is some news
from within the Ward that I would
like to share with you related to
transportation and the new fire hall.
The Region of Waterloo approved
their Transportation Master plan
on June 30, 2010. Information
regarding the master plan can
be obtained at the following
website address: http://www.
movingforward2031.ca/. You
may be interested to know that in
the Master plan the widening of
Northfield from Whistler Road to
University Avenue is not planned
to be undertaken for 10-20 years.
At the City of Waterloo Council
meeting where Regional Staff
presented the findings, I expressed
my concern that traffic along
that corridor is already extremely
busy and that there are only two
routes by which traffic can reach
the newly developed employment
lands under construction at
University and Northfield from the
expressway. The two routes are
either along University Avenue or
along Northfield. I further indicated
that the unpaved shoulders and the
lack of a sidewalk along Northfield
prevent citizens from choosing
walking or cycling as options to
commute to their office space.
Regional Staff indicated that they
will be monitoring the traffic along
Northfield and if upgrades and
road widening are required sooner
than 10-20 years, they will consider
moving up the work. I remain
concerned about this and hope that
my concerns are unfounded.
With the completion of the Regional
Transportation Master plan, the Draft
City of Waterloo Master plan was
tabled at the June 14, 2010 Council
Meeting. The Draft Master plan is
available on the City website for
review and comment.
With regard to Davenport Road,
please be patient as reconstruction
of the corridor is initiated in
August. The construction works
for Davenport Road include
reconstruction of the road,
installation of landscaped medians
and pedestrian refuge islands,
demarcation of turn lanes, bike
lanes, and the construction of a
roundabout at Old Abbey Road.
As well there will be a dedicated
right-turn lane on Lexington at the
Davenport Road intersection.
The works are planned to be
completed in two phases where
Phase 1 includes Foxhunt Road to
just south of the Old Abbey Road
intersection. This work is planned
to begin the second week of August
and continue through to early
November 2010. I am hoping for
good weather so the works will
remain dry and the construction will
be completed on-time.
Phase 2 of the work is scheduled
to begin in the spring of 2011 with
a completion in July 2011. This
phase of work will include the
Davenport Road and Lexington
Road intersection up to Foxhunt
Road including the installation of
the dedicated right turn lane from
Lexington Road onto Davenport,
and the completion of the road
upgrades from Old Abby to
Northfield Drive.
During the reconstruction of
Davenport Road, City Staff have
advised that they plan to keep one
lane of traffic in each direction
open at all times and that at least
one access to Conestoga Mall (from
Davenport Road) will be maintained
at all times.
When the construction on
Davenport Road is behind us, the
corridor will reflect up-to-date
transportation planning. The
design is referred to as a “complete
street”. The Wikipedia definition is
a good one which says “complete
streets are roadways designed and
operated to enable safe, attractive,
and comfortable access and travel
for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists,
motorists and public transport users
of all ages and abilities are able
to safely and comfortably move
along and across a complete street.
Proponents claim that Complete
Streets also create a sense of place
and improve social interaction,
while generally improving property
adjacent land values.”
For additional information on the
Davenport Road Project and to see
the road design please visit the
City website (www.waterloo.ca) and
chose “Road Projects” located along
the left side of the homepage.
As many of you have likely
observed, the construction
of Fire Station 4 is well on its
way to completion. The grand
opening is scheduled for Saturday
September 11, 2010. Please
check the City website for details
about this event including the
start time. I am very excited
about the new LEED building and
about the wonderful addition of
the team of firefighters who will
serve the Ward from Station 4.
As a reminder, Ontarians go to
the polls for Municipal Elections
on Monday, October 25, 2010.
There are two polling stations
for the Eastbridge Community.
Voters located North of
Chesapeake and New Bedford
Drive vote at RIM Park and Voters
located South vote at Lester B.
Pearson. As a reminder there
are two important referendum
questions on the ballot this year.
The outcome of the votes will
morally bind a future Council to
a course of action. One question
is with regard to fluoridation of
the water system and the other
is with regard to discussions of
amalgamation with the City of
Kitchener. Information about the
election can be found on the City
website.
As always, I value your comments
on this article. I can be contacted
at Diane.Freeman@waterloo.ca
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