Simcoe County works to end rule of car in new plan

By Laurie Watt Barrie Advance

The era of catering to the car is coming to an end as Simcoe County seeks to expand trails and transit.

In updating its transportation master plan, planner Rachelle Hamelin has heard two clear messages from residents: find ways to help hikers and cyclists get around and foster public transit links between communities.

“Therefore the need for another lane may not be warranted (on some roads),” said Hamelin. “It’s forward thinking. We don’t want to keep making our roads bigger because you just keep encouraging people to use (cars).”

The draft plan is being unveiled at a series of public information centres before it is presented to council March 25. Once the draft plan goes to council, it will be posted on simcoe.ca.

Hamelin said trails and bike lanes will be both on and off-road, to give cyclists choice.

“A lot of local municipalities have work over the past five to 10 years to build active transportation facilities and now at the regional level, we have an opportunity to look at connecting them,” she said.

Hamelin added the public has also been asking the county to take a leadership role in planning and encouraging public transit between municipalities.

“There are some initiatives, like Barrie and Angus and Collingwood and Wasaga Beach. What’s the county’s role in facilitating that further? We’re looking at the longer term.”

PUBLIC INFO SESSIONS

• March 8: Barrie Home Show, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• March 18: Georgian Village auditorium, 4 to 7 p.m.

• March 20: Innisfil Recreation Complex, 4 to 7 p.m.

• March 25: Wasaga Beach Rec Plex, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.