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Residents vote with feet for $3M project
Trail users say money has been well spent
By Michael-Allan Marion
Expositor Staff
Brantford
Michelle Smith and Kristy Iezzi are happy to see Brantford invest in trails and bridges to encourage residents to walk, ride and rollerblade to get around.
“This was a great idea to get people out and be more active,” Smith, 25, said Sunday as she and her friend stopped for a moment while rollerblading on the new bridge over Highway 403, beside the Wayne Gretzky Parkway overpass.
The two grew up in Brantford and have recently returned after completing degrees at Carleton University in Ottawa.
“They have all kinds of these trails and bridges all over Ottawa and you can go practically anywhere. I wish we had more of them here.”
Iezzi, 23, said she is well aware that the bridge – one of two built in the last year – and the Wayne Gretzky Parkway trail extension are the subject of considerable debate in the city because of the project’s $3-million cost.
She said she’s heard from both sides, particularly those who criticize the high dollar figure. But she believes the cost will be well worth it for many years to come.
“It’s nice to have a trail that everyone can use to get around on their own power. Plus, it looks nice.”
In an official opening ceremony for the project on Friday, Mayor Mike Hancock played host to representatives from the federal and provincial governments.
The provincial Ministry of Healthy Promotion contributed $2 million, while the remaining $1 million came from the city’s share of federal gas taxes. The city is responsible for upkeep and a beautification plan to be developed by the parks and recreation department.
“It’s all about quality of life, which reminds me I need to go biking more,” said Hancock. “There was a lot of politics about this project, but without the help of the other two levels of government, we just couldn’t do it.”
City councilors and a trails and bikeways committee debated for years about the route and the cost to get cyclists and pedestrians safely over the 403, and link a trail system divided only by a major highway.
The project suddenly became possible last year when Brant MPP Dave Levac found out that there was still money left in the health promotion program. It had given money to projects all over the province, but Brantford hadn’t received any.
Levac’s office put together an application that won $2 million.
Opponents continue to criticize the amount of the grand, saying the money could be spent on more worthwhile projects. Some have also questioned if the route is really safe, since users have to cross on and off ramps for the 403.
Many walking, riding or rollerblading on the trail on Saturday and Sunday disagreed with the criticism.
Because of the bridges, Sharon Whitfield and her children, Jordyn, 9, Jennah, 7, and Jacob, 18 months, were able to turn a simple walk into a grand expedition.
“I like the blue bridge idea. I’ve never walked this before.” Whitfield said, while Jennah held up a big bouquet of wildflowers she was collecting along the route.
Having a safe, dedicated trail and bridges is a real treat for Jacob, who likes to see the big trucks go by.
“This is so much safer,” safe Whitfield. “Now that all this has been done, we’ll have to walk by here more often.”
Nick Armstrong said it’s much easier now for him to bike between the Lynden Park Mall and his home on Rawdon Street. The addition of extra traffic and pedestrian lights has made his trek so much safer.
“It’s way better than having to walk on the shoulder,” he said. “It may have cost a lot but it’s necessary to help people get through all the development that’s going on around here. I’m glad they did it.”
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