When was the last time you visited Sudbury? Well, don’t hesitate to plan your next trip to this location as the Sudbury’s downtown will soon boast a one-kilometer stretch of pure greenery. A citizen’s dream of having an eco-friendly space is finally answered. This eco-friendly corridor is underway with approx $ 3.7 million allocated for the Elgin Street Greenway.
Enhancing downtown aesthetics
A major attraction for pedestrians and cyclists, this greenway will incorporate attractive greenery along the rail lands. The project has been approved for downtown Sudbury with the first phase of the project kicking in. Apart from improving the way downtown looks, the senior planner of the city has ensured that the objectives of the greenway are to connect Sudbury to Bell Park, Science North and Ramsey Lake. These are the other attractions that are located at the heart of Sudbury.
Residents and tourists will now have an opportunity to visit these city attractions as they pass the greenway. This pathway across one-kilometer also connects attractive beaches. This is a great way to have a wholesome recreational activity for citizens and tourists. Jason Ferrigan, the senior planner expressed the need for these facilities that formulated as one of the objectives of this greenway.
Improving the look and feel of downtown areas
The corridor will start at Elm Street which is Sudbury’s busy street. It is likely to pass the new School of Architecture, as it runs along the rail lands. It finally meets up with the footbridge which is connection between the road leading to Bell Park and other places to visit.
The designers of this corridor are a Toronto-based firm called EDA Collaborative who won the $ 150,000 contract. It has been funded by the Ministry of Tourism and the city is providing around $ 85,000 amongst other additional fund from the Downtown Sudbury Business Improvement Area. The Greater Sudbury Development Corp is also contributing to this project. The partners of this project also include others like the Rainbow Routes and the Development Corporation of Downtown Village.
What are the current plans of the corridor?
Elgin Street is expected to be widened from 20 meters to 26 meters. Apart from this, Ferrigan from EDA took the suggestions from residents during public consultation sessions. All these suggestions are likely to be incorporated into the greenway. With all these ideas, the greenway should be completed by May. Further modifications are likely for the design and this version should be ready by May or June.
Mr. Ferrigan is hoeful that by May or June, there should be a consensus within the community about the greenway design. After achieving the consensus, the detailed designing and engineering process is likely to be undertaken while preparing the construction documentation. This will be prepared as soon as the funding process is complete.
So, what does the cost of the project entail?
Road widening, creation of the greenway, the upgrade of the pedestrian tunnel are part of the $ 3.7 million going into the project. Of which, $ 1 million is the road resurfacing cost alone. Funding is expected to flow in from the government and the private sector.
The project will be conducted in phases. The first phase involves upgrading the Elgin Street underpass as there are funds allocated for it. A definite timeline can be expected when the design process is complete. The completion of the project in phases is expected to be in the plan.
Is there excitement about the project?
Sudburians are very excited about the project. Ferrigan also believes that this project is vital for the city. Most of the feedback from citizens involves not taking away the basic character of Sudbury. Ferrigan ensures that the culture, history, geology and the climate will not be affected by this new greenway.
