City of Greater Sudbury Transportation Study Report

10. ROAD DESIGNATIONS
10.1. Existing Road Classification
The roads within Greater Sudbury are classified based on function. Road classifications
along with road right-of-way widths are identified in previous Official Plans and Secondary
Plans for the former municipalities. Illustrated on Figure 10.1.1 is the current road
classifications for Greater Sudbury extracted from the Secondary Plan documents prepared
for the former municipalities. Provincial highways have been identified separately from the
Municipal Road system as they are under the Provincial jurisdiction. Figure 10.1.2 illustrates
current road right-of-way widths.
Greater Sudbury currently has five road classifications. These include three tiers of arterial
roads, i.e., primary, secondary and tertiary.
Road classification criteria for arterial roads, collector roads and local roads are summarized
in Table 10.1.1. The criteria are based on three main elements; the function of the road and
its role in facilitating travel between points of origin and destination (roadway service
function), land access, and traffic flow characteristics. Of the 3500-lane kilometres of roads
within Greater Sudbury, approximately 50% are designated as local roads. Of the remaining
50%, roughly half are designated as arterial roads and the other half are designated as
collector roads.
Under the existing classification system, primary arterial roads connect Greater Sudbury with
other major centers outside of Greater Sudbury and/or provide inter-connection between
communities within Greater Sudbury. Their function is to facilitate the longer distance
movement of people or goods. Arterial roads are expected to have uninterrupted traffic flow
characteristics which is typically facilitated by limited or restricted land access. In
accordance with existing policies, access is limited to intersections with other arterial roads,
intersections with collector roads and driveways to major regional activity centers.
Secondary arterial roads provide a connection between two primary arterial roads; connect
two or more communities or major activity centers within Greater Sudbury. Access from
adjacent property is strictly regulated and kept to a minimum.
CITY OF GREATER SUDBURY
OFFICIAL PLAN BACKGROUND REPORT
September 2005 Page 96