Discovery Routes is the…

Discovery Routes is the coordinating agency for the Véloroute Voyageur/ Voyageur Cycling Route. Currently in the implementation stage is the 380km route between Sudbury and Deep River with sectional launch throughout 2017 – 2018. An expansion of the cycling route through Renfrew and Lanark Counties to Ottawa has begun adding approximately 250km to the Voyageur Cycling Route.

Voyageur Cycling Route Sudbury to Mattawa

-The cycling route is accurately depicted as the primary corridor on the EBR posting between Sudbury and Mattawa. -There is an inconsistency with the categorization of the primary route along Highway 535 and 64. The online and PDF mapping shows parts of Hwy 535 and 64 as existing on-road and parts as proposed on-road. The cycling facility on these two provincial highways does not change on any of the identified segments. A request to MTO for signage installation in 2017 is pending for these sections as part of the Trans Canada Trail. The sections of Hwy 535 and 64 have been designated, but are not signed at time of comment.

-It should be noted that there is no alternative to Highway 17 between Second Avenue at Coniston to Highway 535 at Hagar; a distance of 34.6km. This section of Highway 17 is scheduled for resurfacing/ bridge rehab in 2018 as per the Northern Highways Program 2016-2020. It is a priority section for implementation of the Trans Canada Trail and Voyageur Cycling Route.

-It should be noted that there is no alternative to Highway 17 between Coursol Road at Sturgeon Falls to Gormanville Road at North Bay; a distance of 33.7km. The original plan was to move cyclists off Highway 17 at Golf Course Road in Sturgeon Falls, however there is a controlled intersection and reduced speed limits at Coursol Road making the turn off Highway 17 for westbound cyclists a better option. This section is also a priority for cycling facility improvements as it is part of the Trans Canada Trail and Voyageur Cycling Route.

-Alignment of primary route through North Bay, Callander, East Ferris, Bonfield, Calvin and Mattawa aligns with the Voyageur Cycling Route. The Voyageur Cycling Route is on track to begin sectional route launch in 2017-2018 following the ongoing installation of wayfinding and information signage.

Voyageur Cycling Route Mattawa to Arnprior -Expansion of the Voyageur Cycling Route from Mattawa to Ottawa is underway. Through the Township of Papineau-Cameron, Renfrew County and Lanark County, a detailed route analysis will be undertaken in 2017 to investigate route conditions, recommend cycling facility improvements and prepare an implementation strategy. Conceptually, the route follows the Highway 17 corridor avoiding the highway itself whenever feasible. The route illustrated on the EBR posting as “proposed on-road” between Mattawa and Arnprior is consistent with the preferred routing for the Voyageur Cycling Route. An analysis on the proposed connecting off-road route will be undertaken as part of the planning process. It is anticipated that the end result will align the Voyageur Cycling Route along a combination of both on and off-road cycling facilities.

Voyageur Cycling Route Arnprior to Ottawa -On the EBR posting, a secondary “connecting” route is illustrated south of Arnprior through the communities of Mississippi Mills (Almonte, Pakenham, Blakeney & Appleton) and Carleton Place along County Road 29 and along a parallel abandoned rail corridor. As part of the expansion of the Voyageur Cycling Route, this corridor will become the primary route of the Voyageur Cycling Route to Carleton Place where the route will turn east along the Trans Canada Trail to Ottawa. This route in the north eastern part of Lanark County was chosen because of the available amenities that support cycle tourism. In keeping with the provincial directive of the Ministry of Sport, Tourism and Culture of expanding cycle tourism opportunities in Ontario aligning the primary provincial cycling route with the Voyageur Cycling Route through Lanark County makes economic and marketing sense with the strong support and involvement of community organizations and municipalities in Lanark County. Cycling and active transportation advocacy has been the focus of a number of community-based organizations in Lanark County with the aim to develop bicycle-friendly communities. Efforts such as Mississippi Mills Bike Month and the annual Eastern Ontario Active Transportation Summit are only a couple of the initiatives that demonstrate the communities’ commitment to welcoming cyclists and developing a primary cycling route that will become a valued part of the provincial cycling network. -In the next year (2017-18), this route will undergo in-depth evaluation which will include an investigation of the abandoned rail corridor and on-road route options, verification of route conditions and determination of cycling facility type. An implementation strategy will be developed for the Voyageur Cycling Route expansion to Ottawa with the goal of celebrating a fully signed cycling route within three years.

[Original Comment ID: 209256]