Agenda Item No.: G.2.a. C Multi-use Trail Corridor Study – A Ten-Year Strategy for Development. G
2
a Recommendation:
On April 28, 1992, City Council approved 1. That the Multi-use Trail Corridor Study the Bicycle Transportation Plan, including as outlined in Attachment 5 be approved. the following recommendation. “That the C 2. That a Trail Advisory Committee be Transportation Department and the Parks
established to assist Administration to and Recreation Department review the
coordinate ongoing trail development, feasibility of establishing an Advisory
and that the functions currently Committee to provide input on cycling
performed by the Cyclists Advisory matters including the joint use of off-street
Committee be included within the scope trails and pathways”.
of the Trail Advisory Committee.
Report
Report Summary Development of a Multi-use Trail Corridor In support of the City of Edmonton’s Strategy is directly supportive of a number Transportation Master Plan and Integrated of the policies of Plan Edmonton, Integrated Services Strategy, EDA Collaborative and Services Strategy (ISS) and the Earth Tech Canada were retained to prepare Transportation Master Plan (TMP). a ten-year strategic plan for developing non-Attachment 1 outlines relevant strategic motorized transportation corridors along rail goals and associated policies from the TMP and utility rights-of-way throughout and ISS.
Edmonton.
In addition to directly supporting policies This report outlines the findings of the with respect to opportunity use of rights-of-recently completed study. way, Strategic Goal E in the TMP supports
preservation of the natural environment, Previous Council Action with Policy E-2 specifically citing provision On April 14, 1999, City Council approved of “an improved range of travel choices in the City of Edmonton’s Transportation order to encourage travel behaviour which Master Plan (TMP). Key directions within reduces energy consumption, vehicle the Transportation Master Plan to address emissions and environmental degradation”.
multi-use trails are:
The TMP also recommends provision of Strategic Goal C in the TMP identifies travel alternatives and enhanced connections effective and efficient use of the between the street system and the River transportation system, and includes policy Valley trails.
C-8 to “seek out and use abandoned or
vacant rail and other rights of way for transit The Multi-use Trail Corridor Development or non-motorized travel.” Strategy is complementary to the City of
Edmonton’s Bicycle Transportation Plan A 10-Year Priority of the TMP is to (BTP), approved by City Council in 1992. “develop a non-motorized facility within The BTP identified Rails to Trails abandoned rail or other rights-of-way”.
Routing: Transportation and Public Works Committee, City Council Delegation: Rick Millican, P. Eng.
Written By: Claire Stock, E.I.T./Ray Davis, C.E.T.
February 4, 2002 Transportation and Streets Department
File: 2002TS0474 (Page 1 of 5)
Multi-use Trail Corridor Study – A Ten Year Strategy for Development
opportunities and policies to develop linear ; Rail, utility and other rights of way were trail systems. investigated for existing trails and the
potential for trail development. The The Integrated Services Strategy developed inventory was assessed and a network of by the Community Services Department and trail corridors and connector routes approved by City Council on July 4, 2000, developed and refined with the outlines a Walkable Edmonton Strategy, as Stakeholder Working Group. The well as reinforcing the importance of multi-recommended Multi-use Trail Corridor use trails within the River Valley. Network is presented in Attachment 2.
Attachment 5 includes the Executive
Summary Final Report. ; Edmonton boasts an impressive multi-
use trail system throughout the North
Saskatchewan River Valley and ; Trail corridors were ranked as the trail
alongside the roadway network. equivalents of arterial roadways based
upon being the principal transportation
routes with expected high levels of usage. ; The trail system is used extensively by
Secondary connector trails and other pedestrians, bicyclists, runners and other
pedestrian/bicycle facilities provide self-propelled modes. Trail usage is
access to the trail corridors in a similar increasing, and so too is the desire for
hierarchy as collector and local infrastructure to enable city wide travel
roadways serve arterial roadways. via these modes.
; The MUTC Study identifies connector ; Key objectives of the Multi-use Trail
routes, however the implementation Corridor (MUTC) Study were to:
strategy only focuses on the principal ; determine critical connections and trail corridors. Ongoing work during preferred alignments for the network 2002/3 will further examine of trail corridors; implementation strategies for the system ; develop trail planning and design of connector trails and other facilities. guidelines; and
; establish an implementation strategy ; The 62 km network of proposed trail for construction phasing, supporting corridors is identified in Attachment 2. administrative framework and Approximately 2 km are existing trails operating the trails. that meet the design standard. The remainder are to be completed by the ; Extensive stakeholder input throughout annual Capital Program (Transportation
the MUTC Study revealed demand for and Streets), by private developers
new trail connections between initiating new neighbourhoods adjacent
residential districts, the Downtown/ to the trail corridors, and utilization of
University area and the River Valley. grant programs where possible.
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Multi-use Trail Corridor Study – A Ten Year Strategy for Development
; Trail corridors are to be developed to a ; $2.1M for multi-use trails that form high standard to match expected high part of other funded transportation usage. Trail design standards were projects:
thoroughly examined and established as ; River Valley Road trail upgrade a minimum 3 metre wide trail that is ; Trans Alta. corridor development hard surfaced (asphalt), barrier free and
; Yellowhead Trail – 127 Street maintained for all season usage.
improvements ; Amenities such as lighting, landscaping, rest areas and cross-country ski tracks
; Opportunities for private developers to are also desirable, however not identified
complete trail corridors and connector in the funding strategy.
routes adjacent to new subdivisions are also being reviewed on an ongoing basis. Trail Development – Capital Budget
; Other possibilities for coordination with ; The MUTC Study identifies a
planned road or River Valley trails conceptual cost estimate totalling
rehabilitation are being considered, as $21.2M to complete the 62 km network
well as potential partnerships with the of trail corridors (trail construction only).
private sector (such as the 121 Street trail) or developers to maximize trail ; Funds are to be generated from the City construction over the next five years. of Edmonton’s capital budget, Federal/Provincial grants and the private
; Attachment 4 outlines implementation sector. A summary is provided as
priorities short-term (1 to 3 years) mid-Attachment 4.
term (3 to 6 years) and long-term (6
years and beyond). Phasing was largely ; Of the identified $21.2M a total of established by expected demand, $7.7M has been included in 2001 or the simultaneous roadway rehabilitation funded 2002 – 2006 CPP. projects, and neighbourhood development opportunities. ; $5.6M for stand alone multi-use trail projects: ; In general, priorities in the short to mid-
; 121 Street Corridor (1430) term focus on completing new corridors.
$0.5M completed 2001 Deficiencies in existing trails would
; Ribbon of Steel (1431) $2.3M generally be addressed in the longer term,
ICAP funding 2002 - 2003 as well as enhancing for lighting and
landscaping. ; Accessibility Program (1430)
$2.8M 2002 – 2006
; Attachment 3 outlines the proposed
phasing to develop the trail corridors.
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Multi-use Trail Corridor Study – A Ten Year Strategy for Development
Trail Advisory Committee Framework ; In addition to trail development costs,
over/underpasses and/or crossings will
be needed at locations where the multi-; Establishment of a stakeholder Trail use trails extend across the TUC Advisory Committee (TAC) is (Anthony Henday Drive) the North recommended. Input from individual Saskatchewan River Valley or tributary trail users and representative groups was ravines, as well as certain major road or important throughout the Study, and rail routes. Also, lighting, amenities and continued support and direction is further landscaping could be added to desirable.
the corridors.
; Presently the Cyclists Advisory
; A more detailed review of the Committee (CAC) provides input to the complementary system of connector Administration regarding trail trails will be undertaken within the next development, however the CAC does not two years. At present, 140 km of cover the range of user groups necessary connector routes have been proposed. in the planning and implementation of Of that, 50 km are existing substandard multi-use trails. It is therefore proposed trails to be upgraded to meet the design to incorporate bicyclist stakeholders standard, and the remaining is new trail currently represented on the CAC into a construction. Of the proposed 90 km of broader Trail Advisory Committee. new connectors, approximately 20 km
are in new development areas and will ; The terms of reference for this be a requirement of the developer. committee are to be developed at the
inaugural meeting and approved by
Operating Budget Funding Senior Management Team.
; The Multi-use Trail Corridors are Departmental representation on the TAC principal transportation facilities for use would be Transportation and Streets, throughout the year. The additional Planning and Development and corridor inventory will require funding Community Services, with input to inspect and maintain the corridor provided on an as needed basis from network. other departments. It is noted that the
TAC scope would consider both trails ; Although some increased funding will
within the River Valley as well as along be needed for snow clearing activity, it is
road, rail and other utility rights-of-way. also intended that a review of priorities
for snow clearing will be undertaken as Justification of Recommendation the corridor system is developed, in
1. The Transportation Master Plan defines consultation with the users and civic
developing non-motorized transportation departments.
corridors as a 10-year priority.
The 10-year phasing plan outlined in
Attachment 3 directly implements
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Multi-use Trail Corridor Study – A Ten Year Strategy for Development
Strategic Goals and Policies of the
Transportation Master Plan and
Integrated Services Strategy.
Development of trail infrastructure to
encourage self-propelled modes of
transportation is consistent with the
Corporate Business Plan initiative to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 2. The added support and input of the other
trail users to the CAC will develop a
broader range advisory committee. The
new Trail Advisory Committee will be
able to provide the range of input
required to meet the mandate of
providing accommodation for a diverse
range of accessibility and mobility needs. Background Information Attached 1. Edmonton’s Transportation Master Plan
Strategic Goals A, C and E and
Integrated Services Strategy – Urban
Wellness - Action 1, 2 and 3.
2. Multi-use Trail Corridor Network.
3. Multi-use Trail Corridor Phasing Plan.
4. Implementation Strategy Summary.
5. Multi-use Trail Corridor Study –
Executive Summary.
Background Information Available on Request
1. Multi-use Trail Corridor Study –
Technical Report.
Others Approving this Report
; Joyce Tustian, General Manager
Community Services Department
; Larry Benowski, General Manager
Planning and Development Department
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