Cycling upgrades are coming to Bloomfield Rd. in Chatham.
Chatham-Kent recently received $755,000 from the province for new bike lanes and other cycling infrastructure.
Genevieve Champagne, active transportation and special events coordinator for the municipality, says the money will be spent on road reconstruction and a lighted, multi-use bike path next year on Bloomfield Rd. between Richmond St. and Riverview Line.
Champagne says the municipality wants to provide safe commuter routes for workers along that stretch.
"We want to make sure we provide safe avenues for them get to and from work along that route. It would connect over to Riverview and provide that link to Richmond that's receiving bike lanes currently towards the centre of the city," says Champagne.
Three other projects will be held until 2019 pending provincial funding. Bike lanes are being planned for Victoria Ave. from McNaughton Ave. across the Fifth St. bridge into the downtown, Riverview Line from Bloomfield to Keil Dr. and Keil Dr. N to the new school at McNaughton and Fergie Jenkins, but municipalities must apply each year for funding.
Champagne says the goal is to create and connect trails throughout Chatham that will help keep commuters and pedestrians safe.
"All these projects we're hoping link together and create a more uniform cycling and active transportation plan through our trails master plan and our transportation master plan," Champagne says.
She hopes a solid municipal active transportation plan helps secure future provincial funding.
"As long as they all flow and they're through our trails master plan and our transportation master plan to support our cycling network, they're very open to our project list and working with us," says Champagne.
