An extensive study of the city's off-road trail system is calling for 54 kilometres of new and improved trails to be added over the next 10 years at a "conservative" cost of $12.3 million.
It would cost another $271,000 to provide the recommended year-round maintenance of the enhanced system, says an extensive city report.
The recommended upgrades would facilitate a year-round trail system used for walking and bicycling throughout the entire city for recreational and commuting use, says the Guelph Active Transportation Network Design Guidelines and Feasibility Study.
The study goes before City Council's Committee of the Whole on July 4.
Staff is recommending council accept the report's recommendations and include the $12.3 million price tag it refers to as a "conservative estimate" in its 10-year capital budget starting next year.
The recommended changes are meant to make
The report says it would cost $5.1 million to improve existing trail links, $6.8 million to add new links and $271,000 annually to maintain the entire trail system if all recommendations were put in place.
"The network, once fully implemented, will encourage more people to cycle and walk as a transportation choice year-round, resulting in reduced traffic congestion and related emissions as well as positively contributing to individual and community health," the report says.
The recommendations include:
- A mixture of paved and unpaved trails are recommended for off-road trails, with some sections of boardwalk through environmentally sensitive areas
- Winter maintenance and snow removal is recommended for the entire network
- Lighting of the entire trail is not recommended; lighting should be used as appropriate
- Network construction should focus on connections to key destinations such as community centres, schools and major City parks
- Developers should be encouraged to build trails as part of new neighbourhood development
If the Committee of the Whole and then City Council approves the staff recommendations based on the study, the next steps include prioritizing work to be done, identifying areas where developers can be involved in new neighbourhoods, more community consultation and moving ahead with identified projects.
