by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative
Essex County Council received a report regarding the development of its updated Transportation Master Plan – a long-range document that will define and coordinate mobility in the County – at its November 20 meeting.
“The Plan is to invest in today’s transportation system for a future-ready County of Essex,” Alvaro Almuina, Project Manager with Burnside Consultants, said.
The Transportation Master Plan will also support the goals and objectives of the recently adopted Official Plan, which sets out a long-term vision on how land and resources in Essex County will be managed for the next 30-years, and County Council’s Strategic Master Plan for the elected term.
That support will be presented through various solutions and services, including additional transportation infrastructure and related policies, Almuina explained.
“We will identify long-term needs for elements of the transportation system and determine an overall recommended strategy, based on a vision that is consistent with the County’s objectives,” he said.
“We, through an extensive public consultation process, will establish a vision for the movement of people and goods, safely and efficiently, within Essex County. And, provide a roadmap for the County to responsibly manage the road network, considering its current needs, growth, and change over the next 30-years.”
Through the recently adopted County Official Plan, growth is expected to increase headed towards 2051.
The Growth Management Report projects the current 199,100 population of the County could rise to between 268,100 - 315,000 individuals. In addition, the current 71,000 households could increase to between 101,2000-124,200, and the current 72,300 jobs could increase to between 107,900-124,200.
Technical studies, such as the Transportation Master Plan, will define “the what and when is needed to support that growth,” Almuina said.
The Transportation Master Plan will also be a multi-generational strategy, addressing short and long-term needs of the County.
It will build on the studies and programs that are already in place, such as the Road Improvement Plan, outlining conditions and capacity improvements to 2037. The County-Wide Active Transportation System Master Plan will also be used, so too will provincial and local initiatives.
This work is being done through a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment, which includes and encourages public participation, Almuina commented.
First steps in building the document include identifying constraints and needs in terms of mobility, and determining if they stem from natural, physical, or policy means.
Through a review, a regional model has been created that forecasts travel demand until 2051, based on growth scenarios adopted in the Official Plan. Almuina noted alternative solutions have to be determined, which will be identified through a “Needs, Opportunities, and Constraints” study to help shape those alternative solutions.
There are needs to address localized congestion issues, road safety concerns, and corridor protection, he added.
Opportunities include bringing in new technologies to transit service through on-demand transit or dynamic routes.
Constraints include natural heritage features and heritage sites.
The expected outcome for the Transportation Master Plan includes building and maintaining safer and more connected infrastructure; offering viable mobility choices for different travel needs; bettering outreach to promote, educate, and incentivise the use of sustainable modes, such as walking, cycling, and transit; coordinating with community builders, such as developers and government agencies; and applying an equity lens – fair distribution of transportation resources and benefit across different communities – in decision-making.
The five key principles of the Transportation Master Plan are to provide for a transportation system for the next three-decades; align infrastructure needs with current challenges and anticipated growth, and address overall mobility; define a system that is safe and provide for a choice; recognize the unique needs of the County and local municipalities; and enhance the County’s connectivity internally and externally, Almuina said.
In terms of safety, Almuina said, that will include measures and strategies aimed to prevent accidents and minimize their consequences.
A transportation system, he added, is integral in ensuring it facilitates goods movement, growth, and tourism as it relates to developing economically.
“A successful system will allow residents to access employment, and visitors to access points of interest,” Almuina explained, adding in terms of sustainability, the idea is to develop a system that reduces resource use, including energy, while still meeting the transportation needs of the community.
The targeted completion date for the Transportation Master Plan is June of 2025. There will be opportunities for public and stakeholder outreach opportunities to seek further input from the community.
A workshop will take place on December 5, 5-7pm, at the Ciociaro Club. Registration is mandatory. To learn more or register, log onto https://www.countyofessex.ca/en/resident-services/essex-county-transportation-master-plan.aspx
Some of the initial public feedback received at the first open house in June included ensuring proper connections for roads, bike lanes, trails, sidewalks, and transit; upgrade walking and cycling infrastructure where possible; safety; ATV/side-by-side considerations, and trail considerations. Considering the needs of the farming community was also forwarded.
The Report to County Council outlines that as part of the 2024 budget, $225,300 from the Rate Stabilization Reserve was approved to update the County’s most recent Transportation Master Plan. The previous document was adopted in 2005, which was completed in partnership with the City of Windsor. The idea was to develop a comprehensive Regional Transportation Master Plan for the region with recommended policies and an implementation strategy until 2021.
Some Councillors raised concerns with ATV use in developing the Transportation Master Plan.