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Maps Updated!
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Ontario Street bike lane gets approval
Regional council has approved plans to add a bike lane to Ontario Street during two-way traffic conversion in downtown St. Catharines. The two-way conversion plan will see the section of Ontario Street approaching St. Paul Street rebuilt with three lanes, allowing more curb space for cyclists. St. Catharines city council argued against that plan in May, however, asking the Region to build four car lanes to battle congestion. That would have left little room for bikes, however, so cyclists protested. Several biking advocates showed up and made presentations at last week's regional public works committee meeting. Regional staff showed councillors both options for Ontario Street near the St. Paul intersection, as well as a third compromise featuring narrower sidewalks that could allow for a fourth traffic lane in future. More than a dozen cyclists showed up again at Thursday night's council meeting to watch councillors unanimously approve the bike lane. Construction on Ontario Street will begin in late fall, but the street won't be open to two-way traffic until next summer.
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