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Hello Wayne,
I have been researching your questions to find suitable answers to each point raised in your letter. First, allow me to comment on your generalization of questions focused on cycling in Clearview Township. Clearview Township roads are open for all users . I am sure you have seen various forms of user equipment travel on our Clearview roads. From tractors to combines to haywagons, cars, transport trucks, and motorcycles, all forms of gear are seen on our roads. I once came upon a military convoy that included a disabled CF-18 fighter jet being towed along the 6th Concession! No kidding! Our roads are available to all users. Walking and horseback riding, to cattle drives or sheep herding, it’s all seen on our roads. To answer your direct questions about roads and road improvements with cycling in mind, I suggest that your terms of engaging the topic be opened to include road improvements for all users as your proposed paved shoulders will surely be used by other user groups from the public.
If you have further questions or would request to meet, please know that I welcome your communications.
Regards,
Doug Measures
My direct answers in RED below – Thank You.
- Cycling has and will continue to have a positive economic impact on our community of Clearview.
I completely agree
Questions:
- Given the significant amount of cycle traffic, regular vehicle traffic, and agricultural equipment traffic on Concession 10 NottawasagaRd between Poplar&SR33/34 Nottawasaga Rd. Would you support paving this road, including paved shoulders? This is a urgent top priority.
The 10th Conn is in decent condition for road surface at this time. The road is paved with asphalt at this time. Surface repairs have been and will continue to be done to the asphalt as minor damage will occur. The travelled portion of the road allowance is supported by roadbed that has been regularly monitored for condition and erosion. The western side of the 10th Conn is a regulated water course of the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority and part of our flood control infrastructure. Widening the 10th Conn in this area is not in the Clearview Roads Need study as it would require extensive approvals from the NVCA and upper tier governments.
- Given the amount of cycle traffic, regular vehicle traffic, heavy truck traffic and agricultural equipment traffic on Concession Rd 6S between Poplar – Riverside Dr& Riverside Drive – CR9 Would you support paving this road, including paved shoulders?
Several portions of the 6th have been resurfaced in the past 4 years. Some portions have been widened to align the road within the road allowance. Other areas of the 6th through to Riverside Drive are subject to geographic challenges with corners and hills as it traverses the escarpment and the Mad River valley. Paved Shoulders are not in the Clearview Roads Need Study for this road. This work could be done with an impressive amount of taxation support to fund this project.
- Given the amount of cycle traffic, regular vehicle traffic, heavy truck traffic and agricultural equipment traffic on Fairgrounds Rd between SR33/34 – CR9 Would you support paving this road, including paved shoulders?
Fairgrounds Rd. has seen several resurfacing projects in the recent past. Some of this did include minor shoulder widening to align with the road allowance. Paved Shoulders are not in the Clearview Roads Need Study for this road. This work could be done with an impressive amount of taxation support to fund this project.
- Given the amount of cycle traffic, regular vehicle traffic, heavy truck traffic and agricultural equipment traffic on SR33/34 NottawasagaRd betweenConcession 10 Nottawasaga Rd – Concession Rd 6S Would you support paving this road, including paved shoulders?
There is no argument that the 33/34 SdRd has seen increased traffic. If the Collingwood Regional Airport and the Clearview Aviation Business Park development take off, we should all expect to see increased traffic on this road corridor. The current road surface and roadbed are in excellent condition. Paved Shoulders are not in the Clearview Roads Need Study for this road. This work could be done with an impressive amount of taxation support to fund this project.
- The above 4 roads are examples of roads highly used by cyclists. Will you support a strategic plan of cycling routes that as road resurfacing or upgrades are required that pavement and paved shoulders are seriously considered for our municipal roads?
I do support making upgrades to all our roads while keeping the costs of these improvements within a reasonable budget that taxation can support. A strategic plan for Cycling in our community was included in our partnership with the County of Simcoe. We have supported this with our Recreation & Culture advisory committee work and as an economic development investment. please see www.cyclesimcoe.ca
- Will you support traffic calming measures some of which are centre line and paved shoulder lines on urban streets identified as popular to cyclists?
I have personally brought forward asks for centre line painting and lane delineation painting requests to the Public Works Manager and council. There are MTO rules about line painting that we all have to submit to as part of the transportation system in Ontario. I would like to see local Municipalities have greater authority to make road line painting included under our authority. At this time, we are subject to the MTO rule book. I have recently asked about alternative Share the Road signs that are approved for use in other districts. I am waiting on our Manager of Roads to research the availability of installing refreshed signage for Share the Road.
- What other ideas do you have to help promote co-existence between cyclists and other vehicles?
There are many people that have suggested to me that cyclists need to have vehicle insurance and pay licensing fees to use the roads. I disagree. A responsible cyclist will have insured their own gear and are in all likelihood already paying licensing fees for their own motor vehicle. I don’t think another layer of MTO licences will help here. I do believe that the group rides by clubs such as yours need to offer some sound advice to the individual riders that all traffic on the ride has equal standing in a Share the Road environment. The respect for the road users is the messaging that I would hope your group is sharing with your membership. There are some bad motorist on our roads in this province. There are some bad cyclist on our roads too.
- Etc….
South Georgian Bay Cycling Coalition
Collingwood Cycling Club
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