Duane Hicks
The proposed elimination of a concrete sidewalk on a portion of Portage Avenue dominated discussion last night at a meeting to inform residents about the biomass roads project that’s scheduled to get underway next week.
A portion of Phase II of the project, which isn’t planned until next year, proposes that the sidewalk be removed on the east side of Portage Avenue from Second Street to Third Street and Fifth Street to Sixth Street.
The sidewalk on the west side of Portage would be left to link up with the new walkway under the underpass.
Several residents on hand for last night’s meeting were upset not only that they had just finished paying for the new sidewalk, but that not having a sidewalk would eliminate pedestrian access to their side of the avenue.
As well, forcing pedestrians to cross the busy street to use the west sidewalk would be a serious safety issue.
“Why would you take out something that’s already there?” asked neighbourhood resident Randy House, who noted residents agreed to have the sidewalk built in 1977 and then the town forced the residents to pay to have it upgraded in 1993.
House said he talked to 75 percent of the residents affected by the proposed sidewalk removal and they agreed they didn’t want it done.
“We want our sidewalk left alone,” he stressed.
Several other residents argued council should not remove the sidewalk at the expense of the safety of residents, as well as those who have to deliver mail and newspapers to homes, especially given the town has been designated a “safe community” by the World Health Organization.
Operations and Facilities manager Doug Brown told residents the reduction of sidewalks on streets with two of them is a policy being considered by council as part of its official plan.
The rationale is cost-savings realized from this would be used to install new sidewalks in town where there currently are none.
Meanwhile, some residents also expressed concern over the use of Portage Avenue as a truck route to transport biomass from Abitibi’s supply north of the lagoon and at the landfill to the boiler site, adding the increased traffic volume is a safety concern for a part of town that is, by definition, a residential area.
Former town councillor Dave Bourgeault said the trucks should use the current truck route.
“Currently, trucks can go down McIrvine, which is highway-commercial and heavy industrial, and down onto the truck route that already exists,” he noted. “Why would you take them through primarily a residential area?”
House said he wants to know how much truck traffic will increase, and be sure there’s some co-operation between Abitibi and residents so people won’t be affected by it 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Fort Frances CAO Mark McCaig said the town will try to get more information regarding how much Portage Avenue will be used, and what time of the day and year it will be used, but clarified it is not being promoted for use specific to transporting biomass and not a general truck route.
McCaig said the input provided by the public will be taken into consideration, particularly regarding the proposed removal of sidewalks, which would not happen until 2010 (if at all).
“Don’t minimize this forum that we have here. . . . People come forward with input or concerns or suggestions, and they are
considered,” McCaig stressed, adding administration and several councillors were on hand for the meeting to hear those concerns first-hand.
“There is some time here, especially for the primary issue, which was the sidewalk,” he noted. “It wasn’t slated to happen this summer anyway.
“I am sure there will be opportunity [for further discussion],” he added. “It will probably start at the Operations and Facilities [executive committee], where they will examine what they heard at the public meeting.
“We really appreciate that people took the time to come out and tell us their concerns and offer suggestions, and we will take the time to consider everything that was said,” McCaig continued.
“We appreciate them coming out and using that forum to express their views. That’s what municipal government is all about.”
Brown said the tender still can be modified to take out the sidewalk removal job.
