Media Release: Oct. 31st 2013
New road and roundabout unwanted and unnecessary expense and usefulness
Community Action Network questions need for new road and intersection improvements:
Citizens at a recent meeting (October 24th) of the Minnow Lake Community Action Network expressed a number of concerns about next years proposed roadwork improvements for Second Avenue and a planned road link to a new traffic roundabout on Bancroft Drive. While there was approval of a signaled intersection at the corner of Scarlet Road and Second Avenue, which would see realignment to the Civic Cemetery entrance and the new Off Leash Dog Park, it was felt that the road widening planned should be extended to Kenwood Street and dedicated bike lanes be included. Plans currently only call for extra road width, five to three lanes from Donna Drive to the playground area on Second Avenue and just bike awareness markings on the curb lane road surface.
With respect to the proposed traffic roundabout at the Bancroft - Bellevue intersection, there was doubt as to the space available, potentially dangerous grade levels involved, and difficult access for nearby residents and businesses. Also pedestrian safety could be compromised as the present traffic signals allowing controlled crossings would be eliminated. There was also skepticism over the planned Silver Hills road to be built from this intersection to the Kingsway. Traffic studies have shown this artery would put additional vehicles onto the Howey Drive, Bancroft Corridor which the city traffic department already has indicated is at capacity.
The stated need for another access to the new Silver Hills development was questioned as other significant residential developments in the area (Lakeview, Grandview) have a single access. The new Silver Hills development already has direct access to the Kingsway and Barrydowne Road and Second Avenue. Considering the city’s current 40 million dollar annual shortfall in road construction and over 700 million dollar deficit in maintenance needs, plus the other cited factors, it was suggested that this roundabout and new road project be either postponed indefinitely or cancelled outright as unwanted and unnecessary.
The site for the Sudbury working-group of The Media Co-op has been archived and will no longer be updated. Please visit the main Media Co-op website to learn more about the organization.
The Sudbury working-group of The Media Co-op was formed to create independent media in the North, to speak to our issues and outlooks on our communities as well as the world around us. Independent media provides an avenue for people who are wishing to gain critical perspective on the issues that matter most to us, and to give a voice to those people and stories that you won't find in the mainstream media.
The Sudbury working-group site is no longer being updated and has been archived.