A major section of Lakeshore Road East could soon see significant upgrades for pedestrians and cyclists under a new plan unveiled by the Town of Oakville.
The town is proposing the construction of a continuous multi-use path along Lakeshore Road East between Allan Street and Winston Churchill Boulevard, creating a dedicated route for walking, cycling and other forms of active transportation along one of Oakville’s busiest east-west corridors.
The project follows a feasibility assessment aimed at improving transportation options and encouraging active travel throughout the community.
Under the preferred design, the multi-use path would run along the south side of Lakeshore Road East from Allan Street to Maple Grove Drive. It would then shift to the north side of the road between Maple Grove Drive and Devon Road/Chancery Lane East before returning to the south side from Devon Road/Chancery Lane East to Winston Churchill Boulevard.
The town said controlled pedestrian crossings already exist where users would need to cross the roadway as the path transitions from one side of Lakeshore Road East to the other.
Plans also call for the construction of a new sidewalk segment on the south side of Lakeshore Road East between Maple Grove Drive and west of the Ford Drive/Kingsford Place intersection.
An earlier recommendation would have included a multi-use path on one side of the road and dedicated on-street bike lanes on both sides. However, that option would have required removing the centre two-way left-turn lane.
According to the town, recent provincial legislation known as Bill 60 limits the ability of municipalities to reduce vehicle lanes, preventing that option from moving forward.
The proposed improvements are intended to enhance safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists while maintaining traffic capacity along the corridor.
Residents will have an opportunity to review the plans and provide feedback during a Public Information Centre scheduled for June 23.
Area where the work will be done.
The session will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the South Atrium at Oakville Town Hall. Town staff will present details of the recommended design and gather comments from members of the public before the project advances.
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