‘Slow streets’ program would close some roadways to through traffic

KITCHENER — Kitchener is looking at fasttracking improvements to the city’s cycling and trails network, and starting a “slow streets” program that would seasonally close some local streets to through traffic as a way to give cyclists and pedestrians more room to roam.

The city hopes to close about half a dozen local streets to through traffic, possibly within a week, said Barry Cronkite, Kitchener’s director of transportation services.

“We’re looking at five to seven streets to start, primarily in areas that are of higher density with limited access to major trails,” he said in an email.

The slow streets experiment will start on local streets with lower traffic volumes. Local traffic would still be allowed, but at slow speeds.

“I think this is an area where we have an opportunity to be bold and to move quickly,” said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “We’ve seen people’s transportation habits have changed dramatically.”

But councillors from the suburbs like Kelly Galloway-Sealock and Chris Michaud said traffic calming, which has been cut back because of staff shortages during the pandemic lockdown, is a much bigger priority in the suburbs.

Several residents had urged council to proceed with a plan to close Gaukel Street to traffic. Sam Nabi, a downtown resident and business owner, said making Gaukel pedestrian-only would make physical distancing easier near Victoria Park.

“We may not be able to install nice furniture and amenities on Gaukel Street yet, but it can still function as a great boulevard for people walking between the park and the Ion station” at city hall, Nabi said.

Coun. Sarah Marsh said she was keen to see the Gaukel plans proceed quickly, even if only in a pared-down form, “just to have a safe passageway for people travelling to and from the park and downtown.”

A report on how to increase traffic calming, and updates on Gaukel Street and the slow streets plan, will be coming to council in two weeks.