Walk, bike, bus, drive: transportation open house

The Town of Windsor, in collaboration with the Ecology Action Centre (EAC) and the Cities and Environment Unit (CEU) of Dalhousie University, invites you to drop in to a transportation open house at Windsor Council Chambers, 100 King Street Monday, May 11 between 3-7 p.m.

At the open house, EAC and CEU will present recommendations for improving transportation in Windsor and area and the public will have a chance to comment on or make changes to the recommendations, which will be presented to council the next day.

The recommendations are based on citizens’ ideas from public workshops held in Windsor April 3-4. Approximately 20 participants ranging in age from 15-65 discussed the pros and cons of walking, cycling, taking public transit, driving (and for freight, the pros and cons of shipping via truck and rail) and came up with ideas to improve transportation options in the community.

Ideas included, but were not limited to: • A safe, legal trail across railway tracks from Avon View High School • Bike lanes on Wentworth Road and Highway #215 • Walking trails in Windsor beside rail line • Establish a passenger and cargo rail link through Valley to Halifax • Ride share website serving all of Nova Scotia • Kings Transit link with Metro Transit at Irving in Mt. Uniacke • New transfer stations outside of town limits where long combination vehicle loads can be transferred to smaller trucks for in-town deliveries. • A road use charge to encourage a switch from truck freight to more sustainable modes.

Some of the recommendations may end up in Windsor’s Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP), a plan that will shape future development in Windsor for 20 to 30 years.

By 2010, all municipalities in Canada must complete an ICSP as a requirement of the federal gas tax funding agreement. The gas tax funds can be spent on infrastructure projects that meet federal criteria of clean air, clean water and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. This includes transportation infrastructure such as public transit, walking trails, bike lanes and roads.

Windsor is one of three Nova Scotia municipalities with which EAC and CEU is working to shape the transportation section of their ICSP. The project is funded by Transport Canada, Nova Scotia Health Promotion and Conserve Nova Scotia.

Refreshments and snacks will be provided. Money is available to cover the costs of daycare and/or transportation. For details, contact Laena Garrison (902-429-0924 or trax@ecologyaction.ca).