Centre Wellington is planning for the future – more specifically for how people will travel through this growing community.
May 23 marked the launch of the township’s Transportation Master Plan with a presentation by Brett Sears, Project Manager Transportation Planning, WSP / MMM Group.
Colin Baker explained that WSP had undertaken a number of transportation plans across Ontario.
Sears’ presentation outlined the process to analyze the data pertaining to transportation within Centre Wellington.
The plan will help the township adapt to anticipated growth in Centre Wellington, Baker said.
“We know we have to grow, but how does the transportation system need to adapt to meet those grow targets?”
Sears said a master transportation plan “is an opportunity to envision for the future.”
He stressed, “It is not a blank slate to develop or construct any items … but it is a guide to set a plan for the next 25 years as to how to accommodate growth in Centre Wellington.”
He added this is not just about planning for cars, but other possible means of movement, including transit.
“This will act as a blueprint as to how you want to go into the future,” said Sears.
A big part of this is the plan for 25 years ahead.
“When we come back with a draft report, we want to be able to provide some technical analysis behind a proposed transportation model.”
The model would take current transportation routes in addition to where growth is projected within the municipality.
Transit is one issue, but Sears noted parking is also a hot item right now.
“We want to integrate all of this into the official plan, and to leverage the work the township has already done, to create a cohesive plan for the future,” Sears said.
“The (idea of a) Fergus bypass is an important issue for some time, so we will look if there is an existing route which might be appropriate, or it could be a new route.”
He stressed the plan would not come up with a final solution, but would set the township up with direction as to what could be done if it chooses to proceed.
Sears said transit is another hot item for discussion – “The question is what type of transit?”
He asked if the traditional bus is the right solution.
“We don’t know right at this moment. We’ve seen other municipalities such as Innisfull which has considered partnering with Über to provide transit service,” Sears noted.
However, Sears said the City of Guelph already provides a transit service.
He asked if Centre Wellington would consider the possibility of Guelph extending its service or embarking with a Centre Wellington transit service.
“We have all the items on the table and will try to come up with a strategy. We are not presupposing there is any right solution at this moment,” he said.
Sears added whatever is presented would also provide projected ridership estimates. Sears noted he took transit to his office earlier in the day … but used his car to attend the Centre Wellington meeting.
“Parking, we know has been a hot issue.”
He noted parking counts are underway in the downtowns of Fergus and Elora looking at both how many parking spots are used, and how long they are occupied.
Sears pointed out these counts are to be done in both May and in August, to catch a peak time when parking is anticipated to be at its highest.
“We try to take a ‘complete street’ approach to traffic calming with the idea that the road network should be designed and operated for all transportation users,” Sears told council. He said these are not MTO highways in most of the township.
“How do we design roads so that people understand they are local roads and to travel at the posted speed?”
He said consultation is very important to the process – both face-to-face and online.
Sears noted this communication should not just be limited to local residents, but those visiting or travelling through the community.
“We’re looking for both innovative and multi-facetted approaches to this … so that when we come back, we can tell you what your people had to say.”
Sears anticipated being back to council in the first quarter of 2018 with a draft report for review.
Mayor Kelly Linton said “we are all really excited about seeing this project move forward.
“Looking after transportation as we grow, is of significant concern to our residents in Centre Wellington.”
He said there will be lots of opportunity for public engagement.
