A group of Renfrew County Active Transportation advocates have written a joint letter to Ontario’s transportation minister asking the Ministry of Transportation to take cyclists into account when Highway 41 is upgraded this year.
Although the Province is planning to upgrade the 29-km. section of the road from Highway 60 to Highway 17 this year, there are no plans to improve safety for cyclists, and some of the plans actually make the highway more dangerous, they say.
Signers of the letter to Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca include Chris Hinsperger of Eganville (Bonnechere Caves), Damien McCarthy of Petawawa (GearHeads, Active Transportation Working Group), Ole Hendrickson (Ottawa River Institute) and Ron Moss (Active Transportation Committee, Physical Activity Network of Renfrew County) of Pembroke and Ish Theilheimer of Golden Lake (Bike Renfrew County). All are active cyclists and have been active in the County promoting cycling and Active Transportation.
Their letter recognizes that rehabilitation of Highway 41 “is long overdue, and many tragic collisions have occurred on this road,” but points out the plans have no accommodations for cyclists or other forms of Active Transportation. Some of the planned work will make the highway less safe for cyclists, the letter says.
“Highway 41,” the letter states, “Is Renfrew County’s only north-south provincial highway and a natural connecting route for cycle tourists and commuters going between the Eganville/Golden Lake and Pembroke/Petawawa areas. Unfortunately, this stretch of the highway is a menace to travel on a bicycle due to many curves and heavy traffic. The obvious danger discourages cyclists and puts them at risk when they exercise their right to use the highway.”
The letter points out the lack of planning for Active Transportation infrastructure does not appear in line with MTO’s Active Transportation policy which states that “When the Ministry plans infrastructure projects for future funding either constructing new provincial highways or rehabilitating existing provincial highways it will evaluate on a case- by-case basis whether the addition of a cycling component is warranted… and whether it can be accommodated without substantially altering the scope of the project. Priority will be given to projects that could form part of a province-wide cycling network and have no viable alternative route.”
“There’s a very strong case for Highway 41 being seen as significant, given this policy, yet no consideration for cycling appears to have been given in planning the current project,” the letter says.
“To make matters worse, the plans call for the northernmost six kilometers to include a ‘rumble strip.’ These strips warn drivers when they’re going off the road, but they are almost impossible – and unsafe – for cyclists to negotiate. The half-meter-wide hard shoulder planned in the designated area is not wide enough for safe cycling with a rumble strip in place.”
The letter-writers ask, at the very least, that MTO staff review the plan for a rumble strip and consult with local people regarding sections of the highway that pose the biggest safety risks for Active Transportation and ways to mitigate the risks.
THE LETTER
c/o Ish Theilheimer
581B Eady Rd.
Golden Lake, Ont
K0J 1X0
(613) 757-2223
March 28, 2015
The Honourable Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation
Minister of Transportation
3rd Floor, Ferguson Block
77 Wellesley Street West
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1Z8
sent via Canada Post and via email to: [email protected]
Dear Minister Del Duca
We are writing as active cyclists and advocates for Active Transportation out of concern over planned rehabilitation work on provincial Highway 41 from Highway 60 north to Highway 17 outside Pembroke. The rehabilitation is long overdue, and many tragic collisions have occurred on this road, so the rehabilitation should proceed as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, there are no accommodations for cyclists or other forms of Active Transportation in the planned rehabilitation, and, in fact, some of the planned work will make things worse for cyclists than ever.
Highway 41 is Renfrew County’s only north-south provincial highway and a natural connecting route for cycle tourists and commuters going between the Eganville/Golden Lake and Pembroke/Petawawa areas. It links the Bonnechere River corridor on Highway 60 with the Ottawa River corridor. Unfortunately, this stretch of the highway is a menace to travel on a bicycle due to many curves and heavy traffic. The obvious danger discourages cyclists and puts them at risk when they exercise their right to use the highway.
On Page 9 of the MTO’s current policy on Active Transportation infrastructure, it says:
“When the Ministry plans infrastructure projects for future funding either constructing new provincial highways or rehabilitating existing provincial highways it will evaluate on a case- by-case basis whether the addition of a cycling component is warranted based on outlined criteria and whether it can be accommodated without substantially altering the scope of the project. Priority will be given to projects that:
– Could form part of a province-wide cycling network.
– Have no viable alternative route.”
There’s a very strong case for Highway 41 being seen as significant, given this policy, yet no consideration for cycling appears to have been given in planning the current project. To make matters worse, the plans call for the northernmost six kilometers to include a “rumble strip.” These strips warn drivers when they’re going off the road, but they are almost impossible – and unsafe – for cyclists to negotiate. The half-meter-wide hard shoulder planned in the designated area is not wide enough for safe cycling with a rumble strip in place.
At the very least, MTO staff should review the plan for a rumble strip and consult with local people regarding sections of the highway that pose the biggest safety risks for Active Transportation and ways to mitigate the risks.
With all this in mind, we urgently ask you, as Minister, to have your staff review plans for this year’s rehabilitation work on Highway 41 in consultation with local Active Transportation advocates so as to ensure safety of all users.
Thank you your consideration and attention.
Ish Theilheimer
Golden Lake, ON
Founder, Bike Renfrew County
Secretary, Active Transportation Working Group, Physical Activity Network of Renfrew County
Ole Hendrickson
Pembroke, ON
President, Ottawa River Institute
Chris Hinsperger
Eganville, ON
Owner/Operator, Bonnechere Caves
Damien McCarthy
Petawawa, ON
Owner/Operator, GearHeads
Co-Chair, Active Transportation Working Group, Physical Activity Network of Renfrew County
Ron Moss
Pembroke, ON
Volunteer, Active Transportation Committee, Physical Activity Network of Renfrew County
