06-15-2023, 10:16 PM
The IHT is disappointing right now. Along with periodic closures on the Spur Line trail, there is at times technically no proper all-ages cycle routes between Kitchener and Waterloo. Although practically, the closures are easy to ignore.
1) The IHT is closed between Union and Gage, for some work at the Glasgow St crossing. I ignored the closure, as was able to make it around the Glasgow St construction by going maybe 5 meters out of my way. There is absolutely no reason a detour specifically around the construction couldn't have been set up with some wooden boards over the grass. Or even a detour on to Eden Ave connecting with the Glasgow St MUT would be more reasonable than asking people to take Belmont St.
2) A surprise to me, the IHT is also closed between Victoria St and West Ave. The expectation here seems to be to just walk if you have a bike, since they also blocked the entrance back on to the IHT at West Ave unless you are coming from the sidewalk. I also ignored this closure, and again some wooden boards could have completely mitigated this issue.
![[Image: ExYNSiw.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/ExYNSiw.jpg)
3) The IHT as you enter Victoria Park still has "Henry Sturm Trail Detour Ends" signs, even though the West Ave entrance is blocked, unless you were on the sidewalk.
None of these are huge. It just seems like no on involved actually uses or depends on the IHT as a piece of transportation infrastructure.
4) The Ontario St bike lane still has no signals at Charles St heading south (towards Joseph St). Practically, you can see the old vehicular signals through the bags they put over top, but this can't be a legal arrangement...
5) Lastly, since I complained enough: I just want to mention how incredible the Iron Horse Trail is when it's not closed. It's always magical right around sunset... There is no better way to get around than this.
![[Image: iwYz98N.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/iwYz98N.jpg)
1) The IHT is closed between Union and Gage, for some work at the Glasgow St crossing. I ignored the closure, as was able to make it around the Glasgow St construction by going maybe 5 meters out of my way. There is absolutely no reason a detour specifically around the construction couldn't have been set up with some wooden boards over the grass. Or even a detour on to Eden Ave connecting with the Glasgow St MUT would be more reasonable than asking people to take Belmont St.
2) A surprise to me, the IHT is also closed between Victoria St and West Ave. The expectation here seems to be to just walk if you have a bike, since they also blocked the entrance back on to the IHT at West Ave unless you are coming from the sidewalk. I also ignored this closure, and again some wooden boards could have completely mitigated this issue.
3) The IHT as you enter Victoria Park still has "Henry Sturm Trail Detour Ends" signs, even though the West Ave entrance is blocked, unless you were on the sidewalk.
None of these are huge. It just seems like no on involved actually uses or depends on the IHT as a piece of transportation infrastructure.
4) The Ontario St bike lane still has no signals at Charles St heading south (towards Joseph St). Practically, you can see the old vehicular signals through the bags they put over top, but this can't be a legal arrangement...
5) Lastly, since I complained enough: I just want to mention how incredible the Iron Horse Trail is when it's not closed. It's always magical right around sunset... There is no better way to get around than this.