Staff memo
As you may recall, on June 18, City staff met with 35 residents to listen to their concerns about traffic issues in the Kortright Hills/Downey road area.
Since then, we’ve also heard from several residents who support installing bike lanes on Downey Road, and we expect there will be delegations advocating several different options for Downey Road during Monday’s Council meeting.
Attached you’ll find a copy of the City’s letter response to the people who participated in the neighbourhood tour, and a table documenting each of the concerns expressed that day, along with the City’s response. In short:
· Guelph Police Services understand there are trouble spots in the neighbourhood, and will enforce speeding, truck traffic laws.
· The City is contacting tenants in the Hanlon Creek Business Park and reminding them to use approved truck routes The City is considering additional pedestrian crossings that could reduce speeding and improve walkability in the area (to be considered as part of the capital budget process)
· MTO plans to eliminate the connection between Downey/Kortright and the northern section of the Hanlon Expressway to encourage greater use of the Laird interchange and reduce cut-through traffic on Downey Road. Timing of this work is not known, and is outside the control of the City of Guelph.
· Downey is a critical part of Guelph’s transportation network – a network that’s connected to regional and provincial transportation systems. The road provides an essential connection between Guelph and other communities.
City staff believe it is appropriate to implement the Council-approved Cycling Master Plan, and have Downey Road function like other arterial roads across the city; providing safe, efficient travel for motorists, cyclist and pedestrians.
Of course we welcome input and feedback from the community and City Council. We will promote opportunities to participate in the capital budget process and notify residents of any proposed changes.