Robert Campbell Bridge cycling lanes approved

In adopting its 2013 capital budget, city council has flashed a green light to new cycling lanes for the Robert Campbell Bridge in and out of Riverdale.

In adopting its 2013 capital budget, city council has flashed a green light to new cycling lanes for the Robert Campbell Bridge in and out of Riverdale.

The $15.5-million spending plan on capital projects for the year passed 5-2 at council’s meeting Monday night.

Councillors Dave Stockdale and Betty Irwin voted against it, both arguing against the $1.7 million set to be spent on the bridge.

“I don’t think it’s necessary,” Stockdale said of the lanes planned for each side of the bridge, with Irwin then stating her agreement.

She went on to argue the city should be looking at a second bridge crossing the Yukon River.

While Stockdale proposed a motion that would have taken the bridge project out of the budget, it was quickly defeated, with just Irwin and himself voting in favour of the amendment.

Earlier in the meeting, the two councillors learned they weren’t alone in their view when a delegate appeared before council also suggesting the new lanes weren’t needed.

“It may be easier just to walk the bikes over the bridge,” Robert Wills told council.

There’s already a sign on the crossing advising cyclists to get off their bikes and walk them across, using the sidewalk, he pointed out.

Maintaining the additional lanes for cyclists can become quite onerous with the need for snow clearing and the like, he added.

The new lanes are planned to be built large enough for a Bobcat to get through for maintenance, said Brian Crist, the city’s director of infrastructure and operations.

He also later told council the majority of the costs – $1.5 million – would come from the federal Building Canada Fund (with the city to fund the remaining $200,000). Stockdale argued it’s all taxpayers’ money being spent.

Other council members stated their support for the new lanes. They argued the lanes would promote more active transportation and make the bridge safer for motorists, bikers and pedestrians.

Coun. Kirk Cameron noted the current situation, which leaves little room for cyclists on the road, especially during the winter months, is dangerous for both cyclists and motorists. This presents an opportunity to do something about it.

Responding to Irwin’s concerns about a second crossing, Cameron also recalled using the emergency exit out of Riverdale over the dam when the bridge went out years ago. It can be done, he said.

As a longtime Riverdale resident and life-long Whitehorse resident, Mayor Dan Curtis has experienced the bridge as both a cyclist and driver.

He noted he’s almost been hit while on a bike, and almost hit cyclists when he’s driven across because there’s so little space.

The city is trying to encourage active transportation, he noted, and this would help address safety concerns of those heading across the bridge.

The current situation just isn’t adequate, he said.

Coun. Jocelyn Curteanu was also quick to point out such safety concerns as the ice fog which blankets the bridge often during dark winter mornings and evenings, making it difficult for drivers to see cyclists.

Coun. Betty Irwin suggested the amount of traffic on the bridge won’t diminish once the new lanes are added.

Coun. John Streicker replied that a better assessment of the situation may come from studying the number of bikes going across the bridge before and after the lanes are put in place.

As he pointed out, the vehicle traffic may not change because the city has also altered its zoning bylaw to allow more density in areas like Riverdale with zoning provisions that allow for garden suites and the like.

After the meeting, Crist noted it’s believed the additional lanes will also allow traffic on the bridge to move faster, as vehicles won’t have to navigate around bicycles on the bridge.

While council defeated Stockdale’s motion to take out the bridge work, members did approve amendments brought forward by Streicker.

He first proposed adding an extra $1.2 million for a generator at the Canada Games Centre, which will allow it to serve as an emergency shelter and keep operating when the power goes out.

It was announced last week that CanNor will put $600,000 toward the project, with the city providing $605,000.

Council also voted to have the mayor sign off on the funding agreement with CanNor.

Streicker’s other amendment put planning for Wheeler Street improvements back in the provisional budget for 2014.

He pointed out that Wheeler Street residents have been pushing for work to be done on their road, and this would show the city’s interest in the work.

Also included in the capital budget, the city noted in a statement Tuesday, are:

• $5.4 million for street maintenance;

• $1.3 million for water and sewer upgrades;

• $1 million to replace transit and maintenance vehicles;

• $1 million for solid waste management, including new composting equipment;

• $650,000 for a new fire truck; and

• $250,000 for a feasibility study looking at replacing buildings owned or leased by the city.

“I am pleased with the budget approved by council, as I believe we have adopted a prudent approach which addresses our immediate needs while providing the flexibility to respond to future capital requirements,” Curtis said.

The city’s operations budget for the year is expected to come forward in the spring.