Executive summary
- In line with the vision of the Council endorsed Cycling Plan, the Plains Road Protected Bikeway and Resurfacing project will implement cycling facilities that will allow all users to feel more confident, comfortable, and safe using a bike as their mode of transportation.
- Plains Road has been designated as part of the spine network which is defined as a network of connected facilities across the city that provides a higher order of protection for cyclists that can be utilized by all ages and abilities.
- The Plains Road Protected Bikeways and Resurfacing project extending from Waterdown Road to Spring Gardens Road includes the creation of an asphalt cycle track on the north side boulevard of Plains Road West and a protected on-road bike lane on the south side.
- This project marks the first installation of protected intersections in the city. These intersections are designed to increase physical separation from motor vehicles, improve sightlines, reduce the likelihood of highspeed vehicle turns and significantly reduce the distance and time during which cyclists are exposed to conflict.
- In addition, new and upgraded transit stops will be installed to accommodate the cycling infrastructure as well as reduce conflict points between cyclists and buses. Plains Road West will be resurfaced with spot curb and sidewalk replacements to improve drainage and accommodate the new cycling infrastructure.
- This project also includes upgrades to streetlights and new traffic signals. Construction is anticipated to start in June and be completed in November 2022.
Climate implications
- The Plains Road Protected Bikeway and Resurfacing has a significant active transportation focus that involves the installation of an asphalt cycle track on the north side of Plains Road and an on road protected bike lane on the south side of Plains Road.
- The installation of active transportation networks is part of the City of Burlington Cycling Master Plan and will give cyclist’s a safer travel network and encourage increased cycling along Plains Road instead of using vehicular transportation to get to a major activity hub, which is the Royal Botanical Gardens. This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, bringing the City of Burlington closer to its carbon neutral goal.
- Plains Road is serving as the first project for a protected on road bike lane and for protected intersections. The lessons learned during this project will influence and shape future active transportation installation projects throughout the City.
- The Plains Road Protected Bikeway and Resurfacing project will also be installing a rain garden LID feature at Howard Road, which provides a positive climate impact. The purpose of a rain garden is to manage and treat storm water prior to discharging storm water into our storm sewer system and ultimately into our fresh water systems. A rain garden treats the storm water, removing pollutants that would otherwise be directly entering the storm system. A rain garden also serves as a cooling system for the storm water as well before it reaches our creeks and lakes, which ultimately would reduce the temperature of our lakes if installed in great enough numbers. This promotes fish habitat and reduces algae bloom. The rain garden also manages flow of storm water into the storm system, increasing the time it takes for water to enter into the storm system as it filters through the rain garden and reducing the amount of water that enters the storm system itself. This reduces stress on the system during storm events greater than the designed capacity of the storm sewer on this section of Plains Road.