At their last meeting of the year, Saskatoon City Council has approved a project called Connecting Avenue C: Walking and Cycling Improvement, which is expected to cost about $8.8 million in total when funding becomes available.
The project aims to implement a wide walking and cycling path between Spadina Crescent and 45th Street on Avenue C. The path is intended to make commuting to work easier for those who would rather walk or bike. Planning and public engagement for the project began in spring of last year.
Keith Moen with NSBA Saskatoon’s Business Association says the survey he conducted with members of the NSBA showed that they would not find it beneficial, and he encouraged Council not to proceed with the project.
“Ninety-eight percent of respondents who worked in the north industrial area said they commute to work by car. several mentioned that they avoid this intersection, when possible, because of the congestion that is there,” admitted Moen.
Representatives from businesses on Avenue C also brought forward concerns about the project including safety for cyclists and pedestrians, financial implications, accessibility to businesses, means of property acquisition, and a lack of public engagement.
Jennifer Giocoli with Precision Autobody says she found out about the project through a letter that was mailed to her during the pandemic.
‘I started and walked Avenue C going business to business thinking ‘are we the only ones that don’t know about this project? And how am I the first to know, in phase two already, that this project is going forward?’ And as I went business to business on both sides of the street between Circle Drive and 45th, not one of those businesses has heard what was going on,” Giocoli announced.
In order for the bike path to be created, the City must utilize a section of land in both the Travelodge and Sandman hotel parking lots. Glenn Mackay representing the Travelodge Hotel says that land is not for sale. He adds that removing that section of the parking lot would get rid of about 47 parking spots and severely impact the hotel’s business.
Co-owner at First Choice Flooring, Mike Lee, says elsewhere in the city, pedestrians and cyclists are not forced to travel through heavy traffic.
“Why not build an overpass that connects the corner of Avenue G and 39th Street? It’s all green space all the way through, and you can go up and over to Robin Crescent. You get your access, nobody gets killed trying to cross Circle Drive, and traffic flow is not affected,” Lee suggested.
The project was approved with a near vote of 6-5. Improvements will be completed in three phases, with the highest priority segments being completed first. It’s recommended for Spadina Crescent to Jamieson Street to be completed in Phase One, Jamieson Street to 38th Street in Phase Two and 38th Street to 45th Street for Phase Three.
