02-16-2018, 10:23 AM
(02-16-2018, 12:14 AM)Pheidippides Wrote: I was thinking today that it is actually pretty impressive how many more cyclists I feel like I see, especially through the winter, compared to even 5 years ago despite the fact that the infrastructure is so spotty. It tells me there is much pent of demand and growth will be even for infrastructure gets installed/upgraded/finished.
But, I really we wish we had more of a complete grid of separated cycle-ways to allow for more options though.
Consider that, excluding the permanent closure between Park and Caroline, this will be the 4th or 5th year in a row, with more to come, that the main spine in our disjointed network, the IHT/Laurel trail, will be severed in at least one section.
2019 = IHT next phase upgrades to north and south sections + John St/Strange St water main project (IHT John to Glasgow)
2018 = IHT closed Queen to Gage (IHT central section upgrades)
2017 = IHT closed Gage to Glasgow (Catalyst 137) + Laurel trail closed through Waterloo Park (central promenade)
2016 = IHT closed Gage to Cherry (Trio on Belmont) + MUT along Caroline (Ion) + Laurel trail through Seagram to Bearinger (Ion)
2015 = IHT closed Union to John (IHT upgrade) + MUT along Caroline (Ion) + Laurel trail through Seagram to Bearinger (Ion)
2014 = ?
If we had a grid with more than one N-S route and more than one E-W route you would at least have a choice of detours instead of being dumped out on major roads, but we don't. The spurline has been a nice addition and isn't too much of a detour if you are going from DTK to uptown or vice versa.
I am hopeful that one day there will be a viable network, but it is hard to stay positive when the timelines are so long and drawn out. Part of wishes that they would have done the whole IHT in one year and get it over with.
I don't recall exactly when it was - I want to say 2013 or 2014, but at least a year before the ION construction began - Queen, Courtland and Mill were all under construction and the IHT between Queen and Ottawa was affected on occasion. All to very good end, the resurfacing of the roads and the trail makes riding through that section much better, but I guess one of the side effects of an increasing trail network is that construction season affects it as well