Category Archives: Biking and walking

This month, the City will celebrate the long-awaited completion of the Wilson Street road improvements and the grand opening of the new Market Parkade. The new Norfolk Street pedestrian bridge will also open, and the Wilson Street public art project will be unveiled along with four new murals created as part of the Main Street Mural Project. All work was completed within planned budgets. Continue reading Market Parkade and Wilson Street improvements completed within budget and with sustainability in mind

The flow of traffic on the one-way section of Wilson Street between Northumberland Street and Gordon/Norfolk Street will be reversed from heading into the downtown core (northbound) to out of the downtown core (southbound) when Wilson Street reopens later this month. Continue reading Wilson Street one-way direction is changing

The City of Guelph has finished construction of the new bridge on Niska Road, and the roadway has reopened for travel to people driving, biking and walking. Continue reading Niska bridge and road reopens for travel, includes multi-use path

Try out the temporary two-way protected bike lane on Woolwich Street from September 13-20 and share your feedback to help guide the Transportation Master Plan. Complete the survey at haveyoursay.guelph.ca/transportation Continue reading Temporary protected bike lane coming to Woolwich Street, September 13-20

Part of the Downtown Trail/TransCanada Trail that runs past Goldie Mill Park will be closed for restoration work starting August 27 until further notice. Continue reading Temporary trail closure: Downtown Trail/TransCanada Trail alongside Goldie Mill Park

Learn about Guelph’s progress implementing its cycling master plan and active transportation network. Continue reading Active Transportation Update Report

This summer, Guelph Transit is hosting demonstration sessions to show cyclists how to properly use the bike rack on the front of its conventional buses.  Continue reading Learn how to use Guelph Transit’s bike racks

Support your community and help keep kids safe We‘re looking for regular and spare crossing guards for school crossings in Guelph. Crossing guards work from September to June with time off when school is out, including weekends and holidays. Crossing guards receive: flexibility to suit your schedule paid training all needed equipment mentoring support (new guards) paid P.D. days on-call pay (spare guards only) paid mileage (spare guards only) summers off invitation to the annual guard appreciation event You are: self-motivated and friendly a great communicator committed and reliable Responsibilities work two shifts per day, Monday to Friday, between 7:45 to 9:00 a.m. and 2:45 to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday  (shift times vary by location and coverage requirements) help children cross roads safely on their… Continue reading We’re hiring!

The Sidewalk Needs Assessment (SNA) study supports improved connectivity for pedestrians throughout the City. City staff worked with Paradigm Transportation Solutions Ltd. to: Review the current guidelines for sidewalk construction and explore municipal best practices; Develop ranking criteria for prioritizing which gaps need to be filled in; and Propose an implementation strategy and cost estimate for completing the sidewalk network. Where we are at The original study report was completed in December 2016. Council approved the Sidewalk Needs Assessment report (page 11) at their March 27, 2017 meeting. Since 2017, the 1,145 meters of new sidewalk have been built: Eastview Road from Summit Ridge to Watson Parkway (multi-use path) Elmira Road near Tovell Rd Exhibition Street from Powell to near Division St Goldie Ave near Memorial Cr Grange Road near Auden… Continue reading New sidewalks in 2018

Starting Monday morning, those travelling through the Gordon Street and Stone Road intersection will notice new pavement markings. New features will make travel through the intersection safer for people on bikes and in cars. Continue reading Protected intersection makes left turns safer for cyclists

Guelph, Ont., June 19, 2018 – The community has selected the final design for the Ward to Downtown Bridge. Option one, featuring a bench, wide deck for river viewing, and a lookout area was voted as the favourite design option. “We’re very excited to see this project come to life,” says Luke Jefferson, manager of Open Space Planning with the City of Guelph. “Our community has waited a long time for a safe and vibrant bridge that connects one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods with the downtown.” Three designs were presented at a community open house on April 12, 2018 and 37 residents filled out a survey in person and online to select their favourite option. Option one was the most popular, with over 60… Continue reading Final design selected for the Ward to Downtown Bridge

Ptarmigan Drive to City limits The City of Guelph is hosting an open house to present plans for construction on Niska Road between Ptarmigan Drive and the City limits west of the Niska Road Bridge. Work includes the reconstruction of Niska Road from Ptarmigan Drive to the City limits at the Speed River as per the approved Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA), filed on December 3, 2015. The EA was approved on March 21, 2017 by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC). Tuesday, December 12, 2017 5:30—8:30 p.m. Kortright Hills Public School, Library 23 Ptarmigan Drive, Guelph Why come to the open house? This is your opportunity to view project information, including map and schedules, and ask questions about traffic impacts… Continue reading Open house: Community feedback needed for Niska Road reconstruction

Guelph City Council approved staff’s four recommendations from the Active Transportation Network study on July 24, 2017. The approved recommendations are as follows: That the Guelph Active Transportation Network Design Guidelines and Feasibility Study dated June 2017, prepared by WSP and Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited, be approved; That funding for year-round maintenance of the Active Transportation Network per the recommendations of the Guelph Active Transportation Network Design Guidelines and Feasibility Study be included in the proposed 2018 Operating Budget; That funds to implement the Guelph Active Transportation Network Design Guidelines and Feasibility Study over the next ten years, estimated to be $12,268,000, be included in the proposed 2018-2027 Capital Budget; That the operating budget to provide year-round maintenance of the proposed active transportation network be… Continue reading Project update: Council approves all recommendations of Active Transportation Network study

The City has completed the Guelph Active Transportation Network (ATN) study. The study recommends 54 km of trail improvements and new connections to provide direct, quiet routes across the city for people travelling by bike or on foot. The proposed routes avoid busy roads and intersections, and will appeal to people who would bike more often if a quiet or off-road route existed. Guelph’s vision is to provide a safe, attractive and practical cycling environment, and become one of Canada’s top bicycle-friendly communities. The ATN study helps address the first two elements of the Bicycle-Friendly Guelph vision: To get more people cycling; and To create a safer and more connected network. Active transportation supports healthy lifestyles, cleaner air and attracts business and visitors. Consultants working… Continue reading Active Transportation network study update, June 2017

The Sidewalk Needs Assessment (SNA) study supports improved connectivity for pedestrians throughout the City of Guelph. The City is worked with Paradigm Transportation Solutions Ltd. to: Review the current guidelines for sidewalk construction and exploring municipal best practices; Develop ranking criteria for prioritizing which gaps need to be filled in; Propose an implementation strategy and cost estimate for completing the sidewalk network. Where we’re at Paradigm Transportation Solutions Ltd. completed their study report in December 2016. Council approved the Sidewalk Needs Assessment report (page 11) at the March 27, 2017 meeting.   Next steps The study is now complete. Sidewalk needs will be incorporated into future budgets by priority as funds allow. For more information Jennifer Juste, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator Transportation Services 519-822-1260 extension 2791 tdm@guelph.ca

The Active Transportation Network Study includes the development of design guidelines and a feasibility study. Together, these pieces will inform future upgrades of the City’s network of trails to improve connectivity for active forms of transportation such as walking, running, cycling and inline skating. Design guidelines will consider what upgrades would look like in different environments such as woodlands, wetlands, city parks and road boulevards. The feasibility study will determine which trails are best suited for upgrades as well as the estimated construction and maintenance costs of changes recommended by the design guidelines. Where we’re at Staff have reviewed the draft version of final report and have provided comments back to the consultants, MMM Group Ltd. and Paradigm Transportation Solutions Ltd. Next steps Consultants are… Continue reading Active Transportation Network study update, November 2016

The City held the first public information centre (open house) for the Emma to Earl pedestrian bridge Environmental Assessment on October 25, 2016. The open house provided an opportunity to view project information and to ask questions about plans for the new bridge. Participants were encouraged to provide comments and feedback to City staff and consultants. Information presented at the open house [PDF 4.5MB] Comment form for feedback about the open house and the information presented [PDF 115kb] Submit your comments by November 15 You are welcome to submit comments on the information and options presented at the open house. All comments must be submitted by November 15, 2016. Please review the open house information then submit your comments online or by email.

Municipal class environmental assessment The study The City of Guelph (City) has initiated a Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) study for proposed improvements to address the future pedestrian and cyclist traffic demands with two new bridge crossings over the Speed River. The study area is bound by Wellington Street East, Macdonell Street, Guelph Junction Railway (GJR) tracks, Arthur Street South, and includes an area approximately 90 metres south of the existing GJR tracks. The City is proposing to construct one of the bridges immediately south of the GJR tracks to link a future active transportation trail along the GJR tracks from Macdonell to Huron Streets through St. Patrick’s Ward. A second pedestrian bridge is proposed within the study area located further south along the Speed… Continue reading Notice of study commencement: Pedestrian bridges over the Speed River linking St. Patrick’s Ward to downtown

Guelph, Ont., July 15, 2016 – Community members are invited to participate in a City-hosted public meeting for the Wilson Street reconstruction and parking project. “The focus of this public meeting is on the proposed features and design of Wilson Street from Gordon/Norfolk Street to Macdonell Street,” says Andrew Janes, project engineer supervisor with the City of Guelph. “We will present the preliminary preferred alternative for the Wilson Street reconstruction and gather public feedback.” Meeting participants will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the Preferred Design Alternative for Wilson Street, including street features and design, direction of traffic flow, on-street parking, sidewalk width, and pedestrian and cycling connections. The Wilson Street reconstruction project is being implemented as a Schedule B Municipal Class Environmental Assessment… Continue reading City seeks public input on Wilson Street reconstruction and design

Municipal Class Environmental Assessment, Schedule B Environmental Study Emma Street to Earl Street Bridge over the Speed River The study The City of Guelph has initiated a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) for a proposed pedestrian bridge connecting Emma Street to Earl Street over the Speed River. A bridge in this location is recommended in the Guelph Trail Master Plan (2005) to provide a connection to the Downtown Trail. The EA study will determine if a pedestrian bridge is needed at this location and if so, the style of bridge to be constructed. The site location and extent of the study area are shown on the map. The process The EA will be conducted as a Schedule ‘B’ project in accordance with the “Municipal Class Environmental Assessment” document… Continue reading Emma Street to Earl Street Bridge improvements Environment Assessment: Notice of Study Commencement

Municipal Class Environmental Assessment, Schedule B Environmental Study Norwich Street Bridge improvements The study The City of Guelph has initiated a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) study for proposed improvements to the deteriorating Norwich Street Bridge. It’s currently closed to vehicle traffic and  serves as a pedestrian crossing. The study will address the community’s needs through a number of possible solutions, including: (1) rehabilitation; (2) replacement; (3) removal; and (4) a “do nothing” alternative that would result in the permanent closure of the bridge. The location and approximate extent of the study area are shown on the map. The process The EA will be conducted as a Schedule ‘B’ project in accordance with the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process (Municipal Engineers Association, October 2000, as amended in 2007,… Continue reading Norwich Street Bridge improvements Environmental Assessment: Notice of Study Commencement

Community to evaluate traffic calming features June 23 and 28 Guelph, Ont., June 20, 2016—The City of Guelph is hosting community workshops on June 23 and 28 to present three conceptual traffic calming design options for Downey Road. Residents are invited to comment on their preferred option and evaluate traffic calming features. “Based on public feedback and extensive traffic analysis, the City is ready to present the community with conceptual design options and preferred traffic calming measures for Downey Road,” says Allister McIlveen, the City’s manager of Transportation Services. “The design options address the traffic and safety concerns raised by local residents while meeting the needs of drivers, transit users, pedestrians and cyclists.” The Downey Road Transportation Improvement Study aims to implement the Council-approved Cycling… Continue reading City to unveil Downey Road redesign options at public workshops

Municipal Class Environmental Assessment, Schedule B Environmental Study Wilson Street Improvements from Macdonell Street to Gordon Street/Norfolk Street The Project The City of Guelph (City) has initiated a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) study for proposed improvements to Wilson Street from Macdonell Street to Gordon Street / Norfolk Street. The City is proposing to replace the existing roadway, storm and sanitary sewers, and water main. The City is also considering changes to the direction of traffic flow along Wilson Street, the addition of a pedestrian refuge island at Macdonell Street, and the addition of bike lanes along this section of Wilson Street. The site location and approximate extent of the study area are shown on the map. The Process The Environmental Assessment will be conducted as a Schedule ‘B’… Continue reading Wilson Street improvements Environmental Assessment: Notice of Study Commencement

Design workshop sessions on May 18 and 19 open to all Guelph residents Guelph, Ont., May 10, 2016—The City has started an in-depth study to examine traffic patterns, neighbourhood resident concerns, and active transportation options for improvements to Downey Road. The City is hosting two sessions for the project’s first design workshop on May 18 and 19. Interested residents will be able to review and comment on proposed design and traffic calming options at the sessions. Paradigm Transportation Solutions Ltd. is conducting the Downey Road transportation improvement study on behalf of the City. The study aims to address local concerns about traffic volumes and speed, and implement the Council-approved Cycling Master Plan. The study’s recommendations will include the addition of bike lanes and traffic calming… Continue reading City consulting community on improvements to Downey Road corridor

In response to concerns from residents who believe removing on-street parking could lead to more traffic and speeding, Guelph City Council will discuss plans for Downey Road during a meeting on July 14, 2014 at 7 p.m. Continue reading Downey Road bike lanes postponed

The following communities were awarded Bicycle Friendly status: Toronto – Silver; Guelph – Bronze; Mississauga – Bronze; Oakville – Bronze; Peterborough – Bronze; Richmond Hill – Bronze; Welland – Bronze. Honorable Mentions were given to Sault Ste Marie and Whitby. Continue reading Share the Road Cycling Coalition Announces Bicycle Friendly Community Awards