Sidewalks to be extended for social distancing
Early next week, the City of St. John’s will lay out pylons to extend sidewalks on three streets to create more space for physical distancing.
The extended space can be used by pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users.
The project will be implemented on Elizabeth Avenue from Portugal Cove Road to Torbay Road, on Newtown Road from Merrymeeting Road to Elizabeth Avenue, and on Parade Street from Lemarchant Road to Merrymeeting Road.
Two-way vehicular traffic will still be in place on these streets, but motorists are asked to drive with caution.
The amount of extra space given to active transportation users will vary by street, with a goal of providing an additional 1.5 to three metres of space from the sidewalk onto the street. Some areas will have less space to accommodate transit stops and parking.
The pilot project will be in place for a minimum of 30 days, after which there will be an evaluation period and consideration given to future projects. A city news release says the project could be expanded or discontinued.
This pilot project was approved by city council in early May.
Harbour Drive was also initially included in the project, but it was removed due to the downtown pedestrian mall project set to begin in July.
Cyclists who use the extra space are still required to ride in the same direction of traffic using the roadway portion of the extension rather than the sidewalk.