City of Oshawa installs first tactile walking surface indicators in downtown intersection
municipalinfonet.com
June 8, 2015
The City of Oshawa has installed tactile walking surface indicators at the intersection of Albert and Athol Streets in downtown Oshawa to help guide pedestrians who are crossing the intersection.
The tactile surfaces can be felt underfoot and help alert people with low vision or no vision of hazards, such as moving car traffic. The tactile bumps are also an added safety precaution for all pedestrians.
The project marks Oshawa's first complete intersection in the downtown to have tactile walking surfaces installed in compliance with standards for the design of public spaces under the province's Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 that aims to make the province and our cities and towns more accessible.
"Projects like these are just a small part of our commitment to make it easier and safer for everyone when they move around our city," said Councillor Bob Chapman, Chair of the Community Services Committee.
In addition, the City is undertaking a number of projects to renew or replace our infrastructure to improve access for cyclists, motorists and pedestrians, including:
- A new modern roundabout - Oshawa's first - at the intersection of Thornton Road North and Conlin Road West.
- A major bridge project: the $8-million Conlin Road West project includes the widening of Conlin Road West from Founders Drive to Stevenson Road, constructing a new bridge and adding cycling lanes. The project also includes realigning the Oshawa Creek using best practices in waterway restoration to support the creek's ecological systems and improve fish habitat.
- Approximately 80 kilometres of road rehabilitation/reconstruction, such as paving, resurfacing, sealing road cracks, and maintenance of curbs, gutters and sidewalks.
"Whether you walk, bike or drive you can be assured that staff are constantly working on ways to improve transportation routes in Oshawa," added Councillor John Aker, Chair of the Development Services Committee.
To learn more about upcoming capital road and engineering projects, visit www.oshawa.ca/infrastructurerenewal.
