Last fall, the manager of Public Works asked all councillors for a wish list of capital projects for 2008. My list included, among other things, new sidewalk construction for Ward 3. Based partly on the feedback I got while campaigning in 2006, and partly on my own observations around the ward I identified a need on Edinburgh Drive (between Colonel Gray and Charlotte), and on Trafalgar Drive (between Riverview and Nassau).
I’m happy to report that both of these requests have been approved by council. These represent a signficant share of the total new sidewalk construction for 2008. If you have any questions or concerns before the work begins, likely in the summer, please let me know.
Edinburgh, which is essentially an extension of Goodwill, is the major north-south road through the neighbourhoods west of North River Road in Ward 3. The new sidewalk will cover the only three-block stretch without a sidewalk all the way from Brighton Road in the south, to the north end of Edinburgh at Maplewood Drive. This is a busy stretch of road with relatively high pedestrian traffic. There are students walking to school, and many walkers/joggers on their way to and from Victoria Park. Because it’s such a neighbourhood thoroughfare, I’ve heard many complaints about speeding on Edinburgh. Last year I had new “Kids Playing” and speed limit signage posted on request of a resident. There has been a definite safety concern here, so it’s a perfect place for a new sidewalk.
Trafalgar is another example of a sidewalk extending only halfway up the street. There is an existing sidewalk between Kirkwood and Riverview Drive, but then it stops. The Spring Park Church on Trafalgar is home to the Spring Park School of Early Learning and the Emmanuel Christian School. Spring Park Elementary is around the corner, and Colonel Gray High and Queen Charlotte Intermediate are nearby. This is a school zone by any definition. There’s no reason for Trafalgar to have half a sidewalk.
I grew up on Trafalgar St, and I always wondered why there was no sidewalk.
There would usually be at least 100 kids (and in some years, it seemed to at least double) who would go north from the schools using Trafalgar, and there was constant traffic (foot and car) due to the church. Add on top of that that Tragalgar is straight and reasonably long, and wow — cars would really speed down that street.
I think the real reason that the community never really bugged council about it too much was that nobody wanted to lose the trees at the front of their lawn
That stretch of Edinburgh is very busy. A sidewalk will help. Can you make it nice and wide and un-bumpy too?
Hans, I’ll send in that request right away — wide and un-bumpy! (check out Ash Drive next time you’re in Sherwood — they got the Champs D’Elysee of sidewalks last year).
Jevon, I’ll be pointing anyone who questions the wisdom of the Trafalgar sidewalk to your comment. I’ve heard the speeding complaints from residents there also and have noticed myself when picking up my son at kindergarten. Busy little road.
Hopefully it won’t intrude on anyone’s yard too much and we can spare all the trees. It wouldn’t hurt to narrow the road a bit to get the sidewalk in. I’m told narrower road = less speeding.