Public input sought into improvements to University Avenue
A long-neglected east-west corridor — University Avenue — is poised to see some upgrades and the city is asking for public feedback through an online survey to help make some final decisions. “The survey can be done quickly, there are only a few guided questions,” said Josette Eugeni, the city’s manager of transportation planning.
“We have had a public meeting and stakeholder meeting, but this is a nice opportunity to get as much feedback as we can from the community.”
City council has already set aside roughly $5 million in the budget to eventually get started on upgrades and renovations to University between Huron Church Road and McDougall Street. Also included in the study area is a two-block stretch of Victoria Avenue between Chatham Street and Park Street.
Given the wide berth of both University and small stretch of Victoria, there are many options to be considered for the roadways that may include new options for cycling infrastructure, on-street parking and streetscaping. The city has retained an outside consultant to help gather feedback and narrow options for the road corridor that stretches about 31/2 kilometres.
“We do have an extra right-ofway so we will try and create a more pleasant environment for users,” Eugeni said.
The online survey for University Avenue is available on the city website citywindsor.ca and can be found under the title construction and then environmental assessments. It will be available until Jan. 6.
“Following that the consultant will take all the feedback, come up with some preferred alternatives and then go back to the community for more feedback in the spring,” Eugeni said. “Then there will be preferred solutions.”
In terms of a timetable for actual construction of upgrades on the road corridors, that will depend on the costs and council endorsement of the final approved options, Eugeni said.
“There is $5 million put aside, so that should get us on our way,” she said. “But how much we can do will depend on the costs for the changes.”