7 November 2007
City Ponders Walkway Along CP Rail Line
City council is looking at a proposal that would pave a walkway
along the railroad tracks from Ave. W. North to Ave D. North.
Saskatoon Saskatchewan - For years, it's been the
unofficial shortcut of choice for pedestrians and cyclists on their way through the core neighbourhoods of Saskatoon's west side.
The right-of-way along the Canadian Pacific Railway line that cuts diagonally through the city at the southern boundary of
Pleasant Hill could someday be home to a paved mixed-use trail with enhanced safety features - but only if railway
officials are willing to co-operate.
"I just think this makes a whole lot of sense," said Coun. Charlie Clark after civic administrators presented a report on
the idea at a city planning and operations committee meeting last week.
West-side residents of all ages use the CPR's right-of-way to walk or cycle from place to place every day.
In some areas, well-worn dirt paths are visible alongside the tracks from years of frequent use. Introducing a permanent
trail would bring some dignity to the area and would likely be recognized as a very good idea in future years, Clark predicted.
Coun. Pat Lorje, whose ward includes the proposed trail, is a keen supporter who often uses a bike to get around. Car ownership is
less common in the core area than other parts of the city, and residents have said they feel safer walking along the train tracks than
dealing with traffic on 22nd Street.
"This'll be great," Lorje said.
Neighbourhood stakeholders recommended the project for further study when city council approved the Pleasant Hill Local Area Plan five
years ago as a way to enhance safety and improve the appearance of the right-of-way, which has long been a source of
complaints regarding unchecked weeds and garbage.
Similar projects, commonly known as "Rails with Trails," already exist along six other active railway lines in Canada -
including a six-kilometre trail next to a busy set of tracks in downtown Toronto, according to a feasibility study
conducted last year by the city's infrastructure department.
"Despite the obvious heavy usage of the railway ROW (right-of-way) by pedestrians, the area appeared to be treated as
a back lane, with vehicles often using at-grade land adjacent to the tracks for parking or travel," the report's
authors noted. "This in conjunction with the lack of signage and land accountability contributes to an unsafe and poorly
maintained area that encourages graffiti, vandalism, and illegal dumping."
As it is, some people actually walk right on the tracks - a habit they'd be more likely to abandon if a formal pathway existed,
administrators told the committee. They estimate the cost to design and build a 1.7-kilometre paved trail from Fred Mendel
Park on Avenue W South to Avenue D in Caswell Hill would be $400,000, not including compensation to the railway for using its land.
A detailed budget would not be prepared until CPR officials give their permission for the project to proceed. That step will likely be
the biggest hurdle, Coun. Bev Dubois noted.
"They've got to be a major player with us in this."
Infrastructure manager Murray Totland is expected to report back to city council after discussions with the rail company have
concluded. CPR spokesperson Breanne Feigel said it's too early to make any commitments, but the company is "open to continue
working with (the city) to address this request."
"Of course, overarching everything is the safety and security of residents and employees. So, with this being an active
right-of-way, that will be a big consideration and it is our No. 1 priority in looking at this
request."
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