MOVING FORWARD
...Neebing and The City of Thunder Bay
Parkdale update
Emergency Access
Hwy 61 (the Expressway)
Permanent Second Access
New Business in front of Movati and the Mall
Traffic Flow on Arthur Street
Park Development Plan
Proposed Access
to Hwy 11/17 (Harbour Extension) via the City's utility line road that goes from the noreast corner of Parkdale. It runs close to and parallel with Hwy 61 (the Expressway). (See map below) Improvements are currently being made on that utility line road.
From Arthur Street to Hwy 11/17 (Harbour Extension) has been reclassified by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) as a Staged Freeway for Highway Access Management. The MTO has planned a 4 land divided highway (freeway) with median separation and interchanges. The distance between Arthur Street and Hwy 11/17 is at the minimum desired spacing and therefore, no additional access can be permitted to Hwy 61 between those tow roads. There have been discussions regarding the possibility of an access from Parkdale to Hwy 61, but the MTO had firmly refused permission. Note: If it had been permitted, their would have probably been considerable "through traffic" in Parkdale.
The developer (Bruno) expects to have the section of Parkdale Blvd to Weiler open to the public in the spring of 2019. City Engineering is planning an Environmental Assessment to determine the best permanent second access for the subdivision -- maybe north via Parkdale Blvd. (See map below)
In front of Movati, Canadian Tire owns the land near Arthur Street where there is site preparation for a Scotiabank. Arthur Street Marketplace (the Mall) plans to locate a Starbuck's, Ricki's and a hairdresser in part of their parking lot. The Mall has done a traffic study, and will spend $80,000 to improve traffic flow via the Sifton Ave. traffic light access in front of Walmart.
The exit onto Arthur Street has been improved with the dedicated turn lane and the advanced green light, but more traffic can be expected with the increased business and residential development. The Dedicated Truck Route Report should be a City Council this fall. It will direct heavy trucks to use Hwy 11/17 instead of Arthur.
Parks staff held a public consult meeting on Wed. Sept 19th A Park plan is being drafted for further review.
