With the completion of the latest section of the Lake-to-Lake Bike Route, main corridors including Duncan Avenue and Atkinson Street Bridge will fully reopen later today to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
Motorists are advised to watch for traffic pattern changes. Changes include:
- A new signalized intersection at Duncan Avenue and Atkinson Street.
- A new cyclist-activated signal and pedestrian crossing at Baker Street and Duncan Avenue.
- The widening of Atkinson Street Bridge at Ellis Creek to accommodate all users.
- Line marking changes at the intersections of Duncan Avenue and Main Street, as well as Warren Avenue and Main Street.
City crews have cleared the snow and ice along the route and will maintain it in accordance with the City’s snow clearing policy.
The City would like to thank the community for their patience and understanding during the construction process. In addition to the new bike lane, improvements including upgrades to storm water management infrastructure, enhanced lighting along the entire corridor, and increased sidewalk connectivity will provide increased safety for all users.
About the Lake-to-Lake Bike Route
The Lake-to-Lake Route is a 6.7 km protected bike lane through the centre of the city intended to make cycling convenient and safe for residents of all ages and abilities. The route was identified following a two-year consultation process. Currently, 3.8 km of the route is complete and 650 metres will be added in early 2023 as part of the Point Intersection project. The final section is planned for 2023 and is subject to budget approval.
The route is estimated to cost up to $8 million. This estimate includes all costs associated with the separated bike lanes, intersection and sidewalk improvements, as well as storm system alterations along the route. To date, the City has received $1 million from the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program (CERIP) and used $1.2 million from the Canada Community-Building Fund to offset the costs of the project. The remaining amount will be funded through internal borrowing and the City will continue to apply for grants to recoup these costs.
Once complete, the route will be the spine in the City’s cycling network and a key part of the City’s shift to a complete transportation system that supports all modes of transportation, helps meet environmental objectives and uses infrastructure wisely.