Active Transportation Plan

Cyclists on a highway

Active Transportation Plan on County Roads

The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville is undertaking an Active Transportation Plan, focusing on Counties road infrastructure, to develop a strategy for the planning, design and implementation of non-motorized routes, infrastructure and policy for the short, medium and long-term planning horizons. In June, the Counties retained WSP Canada Inc. to work with Counties staff to complete the Plan.

Over the several past years, there have been two overriding issues – the reduction of greenhouse gases and healthy communities – that have been prominent for local governments. Counties Council has identified the need for an Active Transportation Plan as it relates to Counties road infrastructure. The focus of this project is on active transportation using a high-level county-wide approach but will consider local municipal active transportation facilities and networks. The Plan will also look at connectivity to natural assets and key destinations such as employment and shopping areas, parking/rest areas, community facilities and existing pathways/trails.

The Plan will focus on the Counties-owned rights-of-way for active transportation facilities, and include proposed policies, the proposed network with a focus on connectivity, and a prioritized project list for implementation within the short, medium, and long-term planning horizons including cost estimates and maintenance considerations. The Plan will include design standards for active transportation infrastructure that incorporate best practices for user accessibility and safety. The Plan starts with an overview of the existing situation as it relates to active transportation and integrates what is heard through the public and stakeholder consultation process, current standards and guidelines and best practices found in similar municipalities.

The final Plan will be presented to the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Council and will be used to inform future public works projects.

WSP has set out 4 major phases to complete the Plan which include:

Group of cyclists

Pair of cyclists

Phase 1: Confirm Existing Conditions

review Counties existing policy, strategies and design guidance documents
inventory Counties existing non-motorized facilities- hold listening sessions with the ten Municipalities to understand existing conditions and potential improvements to support active transportation in the Counties

Phase 2: Development of the Network

identify network gaps and missing links
identify proposed routes and selection prioritization criteria
complete preliminary investigations on proposed routes
stakeholder meeting to review proposed routes and prioritization criteria
identify and map preferred network and facilities

Phase 3: Develop Network Implementation Plan, Policies and Strategic Initiatives

develop and prioritize project list including cost estimates
develop implementation plan for short, medium and long-term planning horizons
identify new policy and proposed existing policy refinements as well as strategic initiatives to support active transportation in the community.
hold public information centre (currently planned as virtual) to gather input on proposed policy, initiatives and projects (planned for Fall 2021)

Phase 4: Complete Active Transportation Plan

finalize prioritized project list and implementation plan
develop design standards and guidelines
recommend funding strategy
present Plan to Counties Council (November 2021)

If you have questions or comments, please contact our consulting team:

Kimberley Hunton, P.Eng.
WSP Canada
at 613-690-1148 or Email