The municipality is considering its options after a number of residents expressed interest in improved bus transit and additional protected crossings during a public open house.
In an effort to update the 2007 Transportation Master Plan, Chatham-Kent held the open house last Thursday to allow locals to voice their concerns and suggestions for where they would like to see the project go.
Steve Taylor is the project manager with BTE Engineering which is the consulting firm in charge of the project. He said about 35 people showed up for the open house, which is double what he expected.
"It was really positive," Taylor said. "People were happy to be engaged and that the municipality was listening to them. We had a number of comments about improving transit, pedestrian and cyclist and some areas for vehicular improvements for the municipality. It has created a bit of a shopping list for things [residents] would like to be considered. We haven't decided if anyone one thing, in particular, will be implemented but they will all be candidates."
Taylor said the main concern residents had was regarding transit service. He added those in attendance wanted later hours of operation and more route frequency. There was also a desire for more protected crossings for pedestrians and bike lanes, he said.
"Where possible, we could make separate space for cyclists," Taylor said. "We call it 'complete streets.' [It] could be a combination of bikes lanes and multi-use paths in locations where we can provide them."
Complete streets are being created in a lot of cities to allow safe travel for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. Usually, sperate lanes are created for all three modes of transportation.
Taylor said the meeting was the first of many the municipality will hold. The plan now is to convene and figure out what suggestions the municipality wants to implement and how to make them work. Taylor said the next open house will be late spring or early summer.