Planners propose new passage to P-Patch (4 photos)

City planners are proposing a new route in and out of the P-Patch subdivision from the east end of Northern Ave. opposite Extendicare Maple View.

Transportation design concepts displayed last week at a public information session at the Civic Centre showed a new access road turning right from the end of Northern, connecting to both Panoramic Dr. and Princeton Dr.

The session was held as part of a municipal class environmental assessment to explore ways of improving efficiency of the Northern Ave. corridor.

City planners hope to enhance road network connectivity while reducing traffic demands on nearby streets.

Other recommended changes to the Northern Ave. corridor:

• implement lane reassignments along Northern Ave. between North St. and Pine St,, providing three lanes with a continuous turn lane
• designate bike lanes along the north and south sides of Northern Ave.
• maintain existing pedestrian sidewalks and boulevards along the Northern Ave. corridor

"The construction of a new access/egress from the east termination of Northern Ave. to Princeton Dr. is expected to reduce the average delay for westbound traffic making left turns at Pine St. and Pleasant Dr.," consulting engineer Michael Kresin of Kresin Engineering Corp. said in a document available at last week's session.

The presentation showed no extension of Northern Ave. beyond its current eastern terminus, even though extending Northern Ave. through to Black Rd. has been widely discussed in recent years.

For more information about the proposed changes to Northern Ave., please click here.