General Road and Highway Discussion

[danbrotherston]

Not sure if anyone has seen the University Ave report posted on EngageWR. Looks like a pretty interesting concept. Obviously would have to be done in phases, but I feel like it has the potential to transform that road into a unique part of the region. I would not be surprised if there is a lot of push back though as they are proposing to get rid of turning lanes at the major intersections.  Rezoning existing commercial properties into mix-use seems like the biggest goal of this project, which I hope happens.

The record article talking about it stated that burying the utilities is an unrealistic, which i don't understand. Getting rid of the overhead lines would make a huge difference on its own. The report also mention a pedestrian multi-use bridge over the hwy to connect university to Bechtel park, which would be great, but city staff have already stated that is also unrealistic. Couldn't possibly provide pedestrian easy access to one of the largest parks in the region that would be crazy.  The project also has little to no funding though, so I would hazard a guess that this vision will never come be. Oh well nice dream of how the city could enhance the existing built environment. 

https://www.engagewr.ca/university-avenu.../documents

I certainly share your cynacism. Do you have a link to the record article? I read the entire 160 page report (well, not EVERY page, but the vision statement is a bit dry) and am compiling my notes and will submit.

Ultimately, it's more ambitious than I thought, but the primary obstacle will be the Region of Waterloo. I do think though, there are more realistic ideas they could work on. Buring the utilities is a great idea, and utilities are an everpresent obstacle (or maybe, a useful obstacle that some wouldn't want to get rid of), but I have no real idea about the cost to bury, we seem to manage to do so in residential neighbourhoods, so how can it be that expensive. I would however, like to hear that cost compared with the cost of expropriating a 1m slice of every abutting property.