Proposed adjustments to LaSalle's age-friendly master transportation plan will head to Essex County Council.
LaSalle Town Council unanimously approved a proposal Tuesday night to submit a report outlining funding needs for proposed changes to the project. The town's development and strategic initiatives department, in conjunction with public works, presented an application to council to obtain County Wide Active Transportation System (CWATS) funding to complete the work in 2018. This funding would be combined with public funding from LaSalle.
Larry Silani, LaSalle's director of development and strategic initiatives, says the idea is to better synchronize LaSalle's age-friendly transport system with the county's.
"We have a network of trails and a network of on-road and off-road facilities," says Silani. "What we'd like to do is take a closer look to see how we better integrate that with what's being built in the region."
CWATS is an intricate system of trails for walkers, joggers and bicyclists alike. According to the CWATS official website, 252 km of non-motor vehicle trails are included along county roads as well as in off-road areas. The master plan is to eventually make that network over 800 km in size.
LaSalle council voted to submit a funding proposal to the county so changes can be made in the town's portion of the CWATS network.
Silani says the goal is to better connect LaSalle's trails to those made possible by the Herb Gray Pkwy., as well as the new Chrysler Canada Greenway, with user-friendliness being the most important factor.
"One of the things that I think is important on a go-forward basis, is to make sure that it's friendly to persons of all ages and all abilities," says Silani. "We're looking at people who are age 8 to 80 to be able to get out in the community and ride their bikes, walk, do some jogging."
CWATS has had a presence in the town of LaSalle for about five years.
Silani says residents have discussed how happy they are with the work that has been done so far. Some of that work includes the trails along Todd Lane, which was partially funded by CWATS.
The proposal is moving forward despite some recent displeasure expressed by Mayor Ken Antaya, who has been disappointed that LaSalle was not included in a list of cycling trails that was submitted by the county to the province of Ontario for funding.
Once the county has approved the funding application, LaSalle will then look into additional help from consultants, with the actual work taking place in the next calendar year.
