Strathroy-Caradoc council has approved substantial sidewalk upgrades across the community.
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The approved 2024 Sidewalk Program, endorsed at council’s June 3 meeting after consultations and planning by the township’s engineering and public works department, will see an investment of $220,000 from the 2024 approved capital budget. This initiative will focus on both new installations and replacements of existing sidewalks that fail to meet the standards set by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
Significant sidewalk installations are slated for Dell Drive in Strathroy and Adelaide Road in Mount Brydges. Locations like Dell Drive have been specifically chosen to provide safe walkways for parents and children accessing nearby schools, aiming to mitigate the current safety risks posed by inadequate pedestrian pathways.
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Moreover, the program encompasses extensive replacements and repairs on various streets, including Queen Street, Bowan Street, Longfield Street and Forbes Street in Mount Brydges, and Longwoods Road in Melbourne. All of these have been identified as critical areas needing upgrades to meet accessibility standards and enhance overall pedestrian safety.
During the meeting, several councilors voiced concerns about current pedestrian safety challenges. Deputy Mayor Mike McGuire highlighted the pressing issues on Dell Drive, where the lack of sidewalks forces students to navigate between parked cars and road traffic, posing significant risks especially during school hours.
Couns. Donna Pammer and John Brennan further emphasized the urgency of addressing unsafe pedestrian conditions near schools, noting the chaotic scenes during peak times when parents drop off or pick up their children. The lack of designated sidewalks, they argued, not only endangers children but also complicates traffic flow, underscoring the necessity for the planned upgrades.
Council also discussed the ongoing issue of parking on both sides of certain streets, which worsens the problem by narrowing available walking space and forcing pedestrians into potentially dangerous situations.
As the township moves forward with the tendering process, a contract award is expected by July 2 while the work should be completed by the end of October 2024.
David Gomez is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter with the Middlesex Banner. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
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