Woolwich motion asks region to reconsider Arthur Street plans

Disagreements are natural in any relationship.

Right now, the Region of Waterloo and the Township of Woolwich are at odds over the redesign plans for Arthur Street through downtown Elmira.

The busy stretch of roadway has been in need of repairs and revitalization for years, and it’s been on the region’s radar since 2012.

The current plan would see the work begin in 2028 and it would include separated bike lanes. To make that happen, the road would need to be narrowed and some parking spaces removed.

It’s those last two aspects in particular that have drawn criticism from Woolwich council, local business owners and residents who frequent the downtown.

Woolwich Ward 1 Councillor, Evan Burgess, tabled a motion this week asking the region to look at other options for the location of the bike lanes and fast-track the project to begin in 2027.

Burgess stopped by The Mike Farwell Show and said his hope is that the upper-tier municipality is open to hearing other options, particularly since the call is coming from residents.

“The main thing of all this and the motion that was presented last night (Dec 1), is to make sure the region hears our feedback,” said Burgess. “They have their Active Transportation Master Plan, and these great ideas of connecting bike trails and supporting communities, but each community has its unique character. That’s what we want to focus on. We want to tailor these great ideas to the community it’s being implemented in.”

He would like to see the Master Plan used more like a guide, rather than the final say on all projects.

“The main feedback we’ve heard is we want to keep parking for deliveries, for accessibility. I know I’ve heard seniors and those with disabilities who, if they don’t have on-street parking, it can be challenging accessing it. Businesses have talked about trucks pulled over for deliveries, and if they don’t have that (parking spaces), they’ll be blocking traffic.”

There are three options on the table.

The first being the region’s choice, the second would see bike lanes installed on Memorial Drive, which runs mostly parallel to Arthur through the downtown. Seeing as Memorial is a municipal road and Arthur is regional, it would be Woolwich ratepayers footing the bill for option two.

The third option is the version Burgess supports. It would see the downtown roadway revitalized with the parking maintained. The bike lanes would begin north of downtown.

“In this time of budget talks, this option three is going to save a significant amount of money. So, what that is, as we talked about, is from South St. to Church St. We get that project done in 2027, do a nice shave and pave. We can beautify the downtown with some trees or sidewalks, or some patios and stuff like that. Then from there on, do the bike lane out to Kenning Pl.”

Woolwich council unanimously supported the motion. Mayor Sandy Shantz will now take the motion to regional council.

A survey is available at EngageWR for the community to provide feedback about the Arthur Street Project.