Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Niagara Falls has completed a new Transportation Master Plan that will guide future infrastructure investments as the municipality prepares for population, employment and tourism growth through 2051.
The plan updates the city’s 2011 Sustainable Transportation Master Plan and establishes a long-term framework for improvements to roads, transit, cycling and pedestrian infrastructure across urban and rural communities.
Prepared alongside a new Trails and Active Transportation Master Plan, the strategy is intended to create a safer, more connected transportation network while improving links between growth areas, neighbouring municipalities and key economic corridors.
City officials say the plans recognize that accommodating future growth will require an integrated, multimodal transportation system capable of moving both people and goods efficiently while enhancing access to the city’s tourism district.
The Transportation Master Plan identifies future infrastructure priorities for walking, cycling, transit and road networks throughout Niagara Falls, including its downtowns, rural areas and major tourist destinations.
A secondary active transportation plan focuses on expanding infrastructure for walking, cycling and rolling, with recommendations to improve connections between residential neighbourhoods and schools, parks, transit facilities, commercial areas, community services and tourist attractions.
Both studies were completed in accordance with the Municipal Engineers’ Association’s Master Planning process, fulfilling the requirements for Phases 1 and 2 of Ontario’s Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process.
Reports were placed on the public record June 1 for a 30-day public review period. Written comments will be accepted until June 30 before the city proceeds with implementation of the plans.
The studies were completed for the City of Niagara Falls by consulting firm WSP Canada. The Transportation Master Plan is expected to guide future capital planning and transportation infrastructure investments as Niagara Falls continues to grow over the next 25 years.
