County staff recommend cycling plan be awarded to WSP

UPDATE: Approved by council.

Of six proposals received to create a municipal cycling plan, County staff recommends WSP as the preferred choice as that company was recently awarded the Transportation Master Plan.

The same company working on both plans should ensure both are written in consideration of the other, said Emily Cowan, the municipality’s Grants and Special Projects Co-ordinator.

Her report will be presented at tonight’s council meeting at Shire Hall.

Funding for municipalities under the Commuter Cycling Program was announced in 2017 as part of the then Liberal government’s Cap and Trade program created to encourage people to cycle rather than use vehicles.

The province provided $178,000 in funding: $118,000 to fund Millennium Trail rehabilitation, and $60,00 to create a cycling plan.

The transfer payment agreement signed in 2018 notes the municipality must contribute 20 per cent to both projects and funding is contingent upon successful completion of a cycling plan.

“WSP is an industry leader in cycling, active-transportation and trail-related planning, design, management, and engineering,” said Cowan, in her report. “Their proposal includes a partnership with Share the Road Coalition and Transportation Options (Ontario by Bike) specifically for their expertise in cycling tourism and the provincial Bicycle-Friendly Community Program.”

She notes WSP’s proposal was also under the maximum budget – at $67,698. A plan must be completed by March 1, 2020. The County’s contribution of $13,540 would be funded from the Reserve for Planning Purposes.