Active transportation plan to connect Tache

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/03/2024 (410 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A plan to expand the sidewalks and trails in all the communities and recreation areas of Tache is planned to be presented at an open house in Landmark April 25.

The federal government last year gave $40,000 for the active transportation study by HFTC Planning and Design, which told council at its last meeting that it had a 100-page draft plan drawn up. Slides were presented that showed connections in and between communities, and even ideas to connect to neighbouring municipalities.

Feedback from workshops in Ste Genevieve, Lorette and Landmark saw themes emerge across all three regions.

People wanted more sidewalks, paths and trails. Their main concern was around the need to be separated from traffic: gravel trucks in the Ross and Ste Genevieve area, cars in Lorette, and speeding in Landmark school zones.

Residents also said they saw the Centre of Canada park as a huge opportunity to draw visitors, according to HFTC planners. The Monominto Trails were something people who spoke to HFTC saw as an asset that could be worked on mostly as a greater recreation area for people in the region.

In Lorette, access to the Seine River was important for residents. HFTC associate Kaili Brown said she and other consultants walked and bike through the communities and saw quite a few people using the trail along River Road (Provincial Road 405). She suggested a small bridge and connecting trails around the retention pond.

The space between River Ridge Road on the west end of town near the Lorette Golf Course and the Co-op on Dawson Road was also seen as a gap that can be connected. Paving paths north of the schools on Senez Street was suggested as an improvement to accessibility and encourage more students and parents to walk or bike to school.

Residents who responded wanted a sidewalk for Linden, and HFTC suggested connecting Linden to Landmark with a path so people did not need a vehicle or to walk on Provincial Road 210.

More pedestrian crossings on Main Street in Landmark were asked for to help slow traffic. Coun. George McGregor interjected to say he wanted a slower speed zone on Main Street, which is now 60km/h outside of school hours and 30km/h on school days.

Ste Genevieve wants more lighting, according to the study. And a path connecting to Ross and Monominto was suggested. But residents also stressed better cell phone coverage was needed for the ski and hiking trails of Monominto.

HFTC said more can be added to Monominto by approaching area landowners and Hydro, which has a power line corridor running through the area.

A grand plan of connecting the whole region and working with ATV and snowmobile clubs was put forward to council. HFTC saw this as a potential draw for many people in the region and from Winnipeg who want to explore nature or veer off the TransCanada Trail, especially if connected to the planned expanded Centre of Canada Park.

The open house is to have both the short-term and long-term active transportation goals.