The City is committed to improving active transportation options and expanding the range of alternatives for travelling around the City. As part of these efforts, the existing Grantham Rail Trail is being transformed into a 3.65 kilometre multi-use pathway through the construction of a three-metre-wide asphalt surface on City property, which will create a year-round active transportation route, connecting neighbourhoods to schools, parks, shopping areas, and employment opportunities.
Approximate Location of Improvements
Project Benefits
These active transportation infrastructure enhancements will help to promote and provide opportunities for improvements to social well-being regardless of income status, age, and ability. Through active living, both physical and mental health can be enhanced. These types of projects also will help advance St. Catharines’ climate change objectives. Currently, the transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gases accounting for about 47 per cent of all emissions. Providing alternatives to motorized vehicles will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and provide fuel cost savings to residents.
The proposed Grantham Rail Trail improvements were identified through the City's recently approved Transportation Master Plan (TMP), which was developed following the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process. The Municipal EA process included significant public and stakeholder engagement, where the trail has been noted as a significant 'missing link' that will benefit from completing these trail surface and connection improvements. The TMP focuses on moving the City forward by creating a connected transportation network that includes active uses.
These improvements will enhance this trail network's multi-modal connectivity as both a transportation route and a neighbourhood destination that supports a full range of mobility choices. It will be an age-friendly, inclusive, and accessible active transportation option for non-motorized vehicles. A hard surface can be appropriately maintained twelve months of the year and is necessary to promote a maintainable trail that allows for safe winter and wet-weather travel. Hard surfaces are also superior to granular surfaces for those utilizing mobility devices and bicycles with skinny tires.
Project Status and Next Steps
The design-build project was approved by City Council on February 28, 2022, and includes:
• Reconstruction of the existing rail trail to a three-metre-wide multi-use asphalt trail.
• Drainage improvements, including culvert installation.
• Sidewalk and accessible curb ramp improvements.
• Installation of trail connections and sidewalk extensions to existing sidewalks and pathways.
• Installation of trail furnishings, such as entrance gates, benches, and waste receptacles.
The design-build contract for this trail improvements project has been awarded to Rankin Construction Inc. Currently, Rankin Construction is undertaking preliminary site investigations. The next phase will be the detailed design of the project.
The construction is expected to start in late Summer 2022. Prior to the construction work, the City and its contractor will present to the public a detailed design of this project through a future Public Information Centre (PIC) or other similar stakeholder engagement. The City aims to design and construct an improved multi-use trail that is coordinated and informed by adjacent property owners and future users while minimizing construction-related impacts on the surrounding residents and the public. The PIC or equivalent is anticipated to be early to mid-Summer of 2022. The City will provide additional public notification of the event.
Summary
This trail upgrade will improve the north-south trail link for nearby neighbourhoods, connect parks, open spaces to residences, and enhance recreation opportunities. These trail improvements will also provide many active transportation options; given the connectivity that this trail offers between so many different types of land uses, this trail supports the City's efforts to increase the supply of alternative transportation routes for non-recreational trips to allow for residents to commute to work, travel to school or visit a store without having to use a personal motor vehicle.
A shift from motorized transportation to active transportation has the potential for societal benefits such as reduced emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases, reduced traffic noise, and more liveable neighbourhoods with less motor vehicle traffic.
For further clarity purposes, please refer to the below preliminary typical cross-section drawing of the Grantham Rail Trail improvements to give a proportionate perspective of the new paved multi-use pathway and the existing site conditions within the City’s right of way.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation in improving the active transportation in the City. If you have any questions or require further information, please contact one of the Project Team members identified below.
Adam Keane, P. Eng.
Design-Build Prime Consultant
Upper Canada Consultants
261-1 Martindale Road
St. Catharines, ON L2W 1A1
Tel (905) 688-9400
Email: adam@ucc.comJim Stranges, C.E.T.
Project Supervisor
City of St. Catharines
50 Church Street, P.O. Box 3012
St. Catharines, ON L2R 7C2
Tel (905) 688-5600
Email: jstranges@stcatharines.ca