Paved shoulders provide safer option for cyclists
Today, Cumberland Councillor Stephen Blais and Francis Drouin, MP (Glengarry-Prescott-Russell) announced $1.89 million to build a cycling connection between Orléans and Cumberland Village.
“Rural Cumberland is a beautiful environment for a range of recreational activities,” says Blais. “This investment will allow us to create a connection allowing Cumberland residents to easily access Orléans, and expose Orléans residents to the beautiful environment and amazing small businesses in Cumberland village.”
Paved shoulders will be built on Old Montreal Road from Famille-Laporte Avenue east to Cox Country Road. They will continue south on Cox Country Road to Wilhaven Drive. Existing shoulders on Dunning Road will be extended south from Brickland Drive to Willhaven Drive.
In addition to paved shoulders, signage, pavements markings and limited rumble strips will be installed to delineate the safer area for cyclists. Culvert replacements in 2017 and planning work is under way to resurface Wilhaven Drive from Cox Country Road to Dunning Road in 2018.
“This is an important infrastructure project for Cumberland,” says Francis Drouin. “It’s a great way to connect rural communities with existing infrastructure and encourage a healthy lifestyle in the process.”
The project is funded equally by the Government of Canada and the City of Ottawa.
“The Government of Canada is committed to investing in important infrastructure projects across the country,” adds Drouin. “Infrastructure investments such as this create important jobs for our economy and improve the quality of life for all Canadians.”
This investment in infrastructure is one of many that Councillor Blais has delivered, with well over $100 million invested in local infrastructure since 2011.
“When Stage 2 of LRT is complete residents in Cumberland could contemplate cycling from the Village to Trim Road, hopping on the train, and taking it all the way to the new National Defence Headquarters at Moodie Drive,” adds Blais. “This is a triple threat investment; mixing recreation, healthy living and environmentally friendlier transportation with electric light rail.”