Elgin St Promenade moving ahead
New Elgin promenade will transform this sidewalk between Pearl & Elizabeth.
The city is proceeding with plans to construct a bike/pedestrian promenade from the Centennial bike path that currently ends at Martha Street through to Elgin Street in downtown Burlington.
The first section of this path will be constructed through the parking lot north of Village Square, between Pearl and Elizabeth streets. The lot was scheduled for resurfacing so the city is taking this opportunity to construct the path along the northern edge of the lot, where there is currently a sidewalk.
Plans call for a five meter wide path that would allow walkers and cyclists in two directions, along with benches and tree plantings. The redesign would eliminate seven parking spaces in this lot, however there are discussions about reconfiguring the large parking lot across the street to add an additional four spaces, for a net loss of three spaces.
At this point, construction is planned for the fall, after Ribfest on Labour Day weekend. The work is expected to take about three months.
The total budget is $225,000. The city has received $37,000 in federal funding through the Canada 150 Fund. In addition, the Burlington Downtown Business Association is contributing $50,000 to the project.
City staff are planning to hold a public open house in the spring to release designs, and provide an opportunity for comments and questions. Watch this space for details once the date is set.
March 4, 2016 @ 11:47 am
For safety and enjoyment reasons, I would like to see some form of separation between the cycling path and the pedestrian path.
February 14, 2016 @ 2:55 pm
Absolutely outstanding to enhance connectivity from the community to downtown Burlington. Now if we can work with the establishments to orient their restaurants and establishments, facing the completed bike-path/walkway we can build a welcoming European look and feel to downtown as we walk towards the Performing Arts Center or walk to Spencer’s Park. I see a world of planters, flower baskets, umbrellas, coffee houses, bakeries all welcoming visitors and residents to read their newspaper, book or smart device while enjoying a beverage/croissant in our vibrant downtown!
February 14, 2016 @ 12:07 am
This is a great idea. We frequently use the bikepath to access the downtown and have often thought that there was tremendous potential for extending the bike path in this way.
Improving walkability in the core is always appreciated!
February 8, 2016 @ 1:38 pm
This is an excellent project! Love to see the bike path eventually hook up with the bike path along the lakefront and now it’s almost there!
February 6, 2016 @ 1:44 pm
Excellent news. I am always pleased to see enhanced cycling and pedestrian infrastructure in the downtown. Cheers.
February 5, 2016 @ 1:55 pm
This is great news! I hope we’ll eventually see some more improvements to the other sections of the Centennial path to improve safety and reduce conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians, e.g. by widening some of the narrower parts.
February 5, 2016 @ 10:51 am
Excellent idea, Marianne. While a non-cyclist myself, I do see the Centennial bikepath-walkway being used very frequently by walkers and cyclists–these are primarily families and seniors. Given how well utilized this area currently is, extending it should benefit a large number of residents.