Lunch break during Belleville city council strategy session at the River Inn, Corbyville, August 30, 2017 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
The future of Belleville’s streets and roadways was front and centre at the first day of city council’s strategy session at the River Inn Corbyville on Wednesday.
Belleville has 442 roads in the city and many of them need some kind of upgrading work, a multi-million dollar cost.
This was the bad news city council heard at the first day of its strategy session.
Director of engineering Rod Bovay outlined the wish list for the next five to 10 years.
He told council there is a long list of streets that need renewal and underground infrastructure.
The roadways represent just over 128 kilometres and 30% require some work.
He pointed to Holmes Street as the worst in the city.
Bovay says new studies show that squeezing roadways in a specially designed way, rather than having a wide street, makes people slow down, and the city would be looking at that idea.
Bovay said the city is working with the province on the Highway 401 expansion, including intersection improvements. The talks include the possibility of the long-talked of entrance off the 401, near the North East Industrial park.
Casino payday
Belleville gets another casino payday soon.
Director of Finance Brian Cousins told city council that, so far, the city has not spent the casino money in any way.
Council has approved a set schedule for spending the casino funds, 65% goes to infrastructure, 10% to economic development, and 5% each to a number of other areas.
City express bus
Belleville could have an express bus to tour around the city in the future, providing quick service.
Mayor Taso Christopher told Wednesday’s city council strategy session it could just circle the city and have special stops of its own, sometimes overlapping the regular bus service.
Christopher said it could go north-south and east-west, clockwise and counter clockwise in 48-minute system for those who need the fast service.
Late night bus service needed
Manager of Economic Development Karen Poste told council at the strategy session that the city needs to extend its night-time bus service.
Poste said this is essential in the North East Industrial Park where workers require the service.
She said “the labour force is the biggest issue for economic development and workers are desperate for late night transit.”
Mayor Taso Christopher urged the Transit Committee to have a look at it.
