By Email Sept 10th: Paul drouillard, roadkillking@live.com | very long-time residents of Sandwich. The residents of Sandwich desperately need parking on both sides of the street, to suggest only one side would only create division in our neighborhood as it pits the south side of Sandwich against the north side of Sandwich. I am a cyclist myself and quite often I find myself perplexed by the need for "bike lanes". My belief is that they are a waste of paint, time and labour. Suggest if bike lanes are required then widen the road to accommodate them and allow parking on both sides as it has always been. . If that is not feasible, I would suggest omitting the bike lanes altogether. suggest that if we are forced to adjust our lives accordingly for cyclists that a cyclist traffic study be performed reflecting similar traffic studies regarding passenger and commercial vehicles. When you take into consideration the volume of transient cyclist traffic in our town does it really make sense to make the residents sacrifice our necessities | The addition of painted bike lanes on Sandwich is supported by the Ontario Traffic Manual, City ATMP and its recommendations by Walk Wheel Windsor. Bike lanes will improve the connection between Sandwich residents and shopping and services in the area. In addition will provide a connection to the new Gordie Howe International Bridge for cycling tourists and connection for commuters from Sandwich and West Windsor to the employment areas along Ojibway Parkway. The narrow ROW and existing infrastructure does not allow for widening of Sandwich Street in order to preserve all existing parking stalls. |
By Email Sept 22th: Jerry Gervais, im_aj_2002@cogeco.ca | Sandwich St at Prince Rd. I think the traffic at this intersection warrants a street light. I have been cut off at that intersection from cars turning East onto Prince Rd from Sandwich St. I sat in the parking lot across from this intersection & counted how many cars cut that corner to turn left onto Prince Rd off Sandwich St. and it was 7 out of 10 cars cutting that corner. So I would like to see a painted line so cars will realize that they are cutting the corner. I would also like to see painted lines & a sign saying STOP HERE on Prince Rd before that blind corner. Sidewalks in the Business Area. - I would like to see Coloured Stamped Concrete for a decorative sidewalk. - I would like to see the Stamped Concrete included in front of the Historic Dominion House Tavern and in front of the Historic McGregor – Cowan House Bicycle Racks or Posts: I would like to see Bicycle Posts In front of 3117 Sandwich the Pharmacy and In front of 3118 Sandwich St. the McGregor- Cowan House Trash Cans: I would like to see a trash can at 3117 Sandwich St the Pharmacy. Trolley Tracks at Sandwich & Mill: I hope the Trolley Tracks at Mill & Sandwich North Crosswalk & South Crosswalk I’ve seen for 70 years will stay. | Sandwich & Prince intersection: a signal warrant review was last carried out in 2018. At that time, the intersection did not warrant a signal. We will continue to review the intersection periodically. Sidewalks: Will be considered as part of design through with coordination between BIA and planning Dept. Bicycle Racks/Parking: Not part of this scope at this time. however city is working on a bike parking policy city wide which include bike corrals. Trash Cans: Not part of this scope, however may be included in WDBA additional community benefits program Trolly Tracks: The preservation of the existing trolley tracks would be at the Brock, Detroit and Mill intersections, within the new cross walk and same as what is there today at Mill and Sandwich. |
Support a mixed-use neighbourhoods design, with street and sidewalk connectivity to residential, commercial, parks, and recreational spaces. Include appropriate lighting, mature tree canopy, and pedestrian-friendly amenities (such as benches). | Changes or new lighting, new trees and amenities are not included in this scope. Streetscaping may be included as a separate community benefit by WDBA. The City of Windsor is working to improve its Bike Friendly Community rating through implementing Walk Wheel Windsor, the City's Active Transportation Master Plan. This project is an important part of and aligned with that plan. | |
Walkability: An “age-friendly” assessment should be done in order to provide infrastructure for all ages and mobility groups. This is especially important as the City of Windsor was designated an Age Friendly Community by the World Health Organization. Please refer to the Age-Friendly 2017 final draft report for specific recommendations on creating an age-friendly community. It may also be beneficial to complete an assessment of sidewalk infrastructure to examine any safety concerns (reduce the risk of falls and trips from broken infrastructure), width of sidewalks, curbs at intersections and crossings, and other mobility challenges for older adults and physically disabled populations using these facilities. | All sidewalks will be replaced as new according to current standards | |
Active Transportation: Provide separated painted bike lanes along Sandwich St. to allow cyclists to be able to access commercial areas along the way. While making these modifications to encourage more active transportation is positive, for the safety of cyclists and pedestrians, Sandwich St. should have a speed reduction (please see below under Road Safety for the recommendation), especially in the residential and commercial sections of the street. The “bump-outs” at various intersections along the way and the removal of some parking spaces will help provide greater visibility for pedestrians crossing. However, it is important to ensure that there are available parking spots for individuals with disabilities, so they have room to park, as well as having extra spac to unload wheelchairs and walkers onto the sidewalks. Currently, there does not appear to be many of these spaces on the plans where parking is available. Bike-friendly streetscape characteristics, including designated bike racks and bike parking areas should be included along the 3 km plan. The proposed off-road trail link, to and from where the Gordie Howe International Bridge will be built, provides a safe and accessible route. It is suggested to have an off-road trail link up with Sandwich St. that continues along Chappell Avenue West,to Russell St. This off-road trail can then link up to the remaining trail section on Russell St. and provide a safe and quick alternative for those who do not wish to cycle on the higher traffic areas of Sandwich St. In the current plans, it is unclear how Sandwich St. will link up with the roundabout by the Ambassador Bridge and then connect with the Riverside Drive Park bike trail. It would be beneficial to complete that small section as well. For pedestrian safety, it is suggested to include painted cross-walks at a few more intersections along Sandwich St. In addition to these cross-walks, it would be beneficial to include signage and an overhead flashing pedestrian light to warn oncoming traffic in both directions that pedestrians are crossing at these intersections. Suggestions: 1) South St. Intersection. There is a convenience store at this corner which the residents access. It would be beneficial to have high visible painted crosswalks here when people are crossing.
| Bike lanes will be painted seperation only. Speed reduction: the design incorporates speed reduction features that are appropriate for an arterial road, such as reduced lane widths and bump-outs. Accesible parking: typically they are not installed on the road unles they are for specific requests from a resident who meets the need for one and are typically provided in lots. Traffic to review whether or not it is possible in the absence of a City owned lot. Bike Racks: Not part of this scope at this time. however city is working on a bike parking policy city wide which which include bike corrals. Rosedale Roundabout: the area is classified as a very high archeological potential which complicates any reconstruction efforts. In addition the ROW is very narrow. There is a current plan in the works to include for bikes lanes, however will take more time to conduct due diligence to avoid excess project costs or delays. Crosswalks will be painted as per City Standard. The intersection of Chippewa and Sandwich meets warrents for a PXO requiring bump outs to reduce crossing widths. It will need to be determined if this is would be part of this WDBA/BNA scope or by City afterwards. Sandwich/South St. and Sandwich/Detroit have not been reviewed for PXOs at this time and are scheduled for review tentatively next year on whether they are warranted. | |
Road Safety Street design that prioritizes and balances a variety of users and creates safer and more efficient connections for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. This includes new signalized crossings (priority, traffic calming measures, and buffering between vehicular traffic and pedestrians). The complete street concept is designed to accommodate the mobility needs of all ages, abilities, and modes of travel. Use a Vision Zero-based approach to reduce fatalities and serious injuries. Mandating a 30 km/hr speed limit in urban areas is a way to prevent serious injuries and death to vulnerable road users when human error occurs. Use existing traffic –related injuries and fatalities from this area to drive infrastructure changes, enhanced regulation and enforcement, and raise public awareness and commitment to road safety. Other traffic calming measures may be necessary to reduce the speed that vehicles are accustomed to traveling. Enforcement and educational campaigns supporting new road safety measures in this area will increase the likelihood of the change being successful in reducing injuries. Work with the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit and schools in the area to pilot-test safe routes to school initiatives. These initiatives can help to encourage residents to have their children walk and bike to school more instead of depending on personal motor vehicles to drop and pick up their families. This could help to alleviate and reduce high traffic volumes in residential areas during peak timeswhen schools are operating. Consider using tools and processes in the Elementary Road Safety Program offered by Parachute to engage the school community. Consider using red light cameras and automated speed enforcement as a way to increase road safety. | Speed limit changes, in and of themselves, do not tend to reduce operating speeds. The design incorporates speed reduction features that are appropriate for an arterial road, such as reduced lane widths and bump-outs. Collisions in this area were reviewed as part of the City's regular network screening. No collision "hot spots" were identified in the study area with the exception of the Sandwich/Roseland/Riverside/University intersection, which has been addressed with the construction of the roundabout. The City is currently proceeding with a red light camera program and an automated speed enforcement program. Locations for these devices will be chosen based on a city-wide review separate from this project. The City's School Neighbourhood Policy is due for review in 2021. The current policy, adopted in 2016, was developed prior to WECHU's change in emphasis in its school health program from active transportation to vaccinations; as part of the 2021 review, we will consider approaches to deal with the resulting gap in responsibility for encouraging school active transportation. This work will proceed separate from this project. | |
Access to Transit: Ensure convenient and safe access to public transit. This encourages the use of public transit, increases opportunities for physical activity, and provides an affordable and environmentally friendly travel option. | All existing bus stops will remain with new sidewalks. | |
Parks and Green Space: Provide mature tree canopy along Sandwich St. Work with local partners to promote the networks of trails, parks, and open spaces. | New trees are not a part of the scope. Various City departments, the Windsor Bicycling Committee, TWEPI, and other groups currently promote the City's trail network and its parks through various communication channels and outreach methods. This work will continue, with periodic adjustments as necessary, separate from this project. |