To assist cyclists in accessing residential areas, schools, and employment areas, a project to transform Avenue C into a Triple A cycling route is in the works at the City of Saskatoon.

Nathalie Baudais, Engineering Manager of the City of Saskatoon’s Transportation Department, says a Triple A Cycling route is intended for All Ages and Abilities. She adds that because Avenue C is so long, several types of cycling lanes will be incorporated, such as neighborhood bikeways, protected cycling facilities, and multi-use pathways.  The proposed cycling route stretches from Spadina Crescent at the river all the way to 45th Street in the Airport Business Area encompassing approximately 5 kilometres of roadway.

She adds that the additional biking paths aren’t expected to have a significant impact on traffic. Some sections of the avenue would require traffic calming measures such as the implementation of ‘half-signal’ intersections. Cyclists would be able to push a button, allowing them to cross when traffic is stopped. The City plans to install sidewalks in sections of the stretch where it is missing, as well as adding the missing curb ramps along the corridor.

Baudais says the design and construction of the project is currently unfunded. If the project is approved by council, it would get added to the Transportation Infrastructure Projects List, a list of projects that get funded in order of importance when there are funds available.

She adds that because the project is unfunded, it will not impact the City’s budget this year, with the recent deficit announcements being a topic of concern.

The public engagement process for the project is still active. There is a community engagement session Tuesday (today) at Caswell Hill School, and citizens can also answer a survey online.