The City is beginning construction for long-term improvement of the roadway around Bert Fleming Park. These improvements will make the street safer and accessible for all residents, including pedestrians, drivers, public transit users, and cyclists. The project includes road rehabilitation, intersection improvements with the two mini-roundabouts, increased road safety, new transit infrastructure and renewed landscaping.

We finalized the design for the permanent configuration of The Credit Woodlands.

Construction is planned to begin this July. The work will include repaving of the road, the construction of two mini-roundabouts, the relocation of two bus stops, improvements to two additional bus stops, the relocation of crosswalks (including a raised crossing on McBride Avenue). The project will include sodding of the section of the road that is currently closed as well as removal of the concrete barriers and painted designs.

Compared to the traffic circle, the design is designed to reduce speeding and improve pedestrian safety. It will also create more consistent traffic flow than all-way stops.

The Sharing Lanes program which made changes to the street layout of The Credit Woodlands has been a two-year pilot project. Work is underway on developing the long-term configuration of the area. Area residents are now invited to view the plans and comment.

Based on resident feedback, I have ensured that City staff have remained focused on four design priorities. These are as follows:

1. Ensure safety for all street users — pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
2. Provide safe crossing points for pedestrians.
3. Maintain good traffic flow for a local connector street.
4. Incorporate a circular traffic flow.

At my request, City Staff looked at every possible design option. Ultimately, 10 different layouts were considered feasible enough for further review. (The standard is 3 or 4). These options were then carefully studied to arrive at a draft recommended solution.

Starting the afternoon of September 13, The Credit Woodlands design options and draft conclusions are available for viewing and comments for two weeks. This accelerated review process will ensure road work can occur in the 2025 construction season. Achieving this timeline was a priority of area residents.

Area residents are invited to review the project website at the link below:

Work on The Credit Woodlands road-alignment continues to advance. We continue to discuss the future design with many residents including those who championed the restore the circle petition. The survey our office conducted during the winter had over 450 responses. The neighbourhood said the new 2025 designs should prioritize flow of traffic, safe pedestrian crossings and speeding moderation. In keeping with most feedback, We have also asked staff for a roundabout or other circular layout as one of the options for the permanent design.

The road was up for resurfacing and would have required a redesign regardless of the Sharing Lanes program. Even just adding crosswalks to the original traffic circle would require an engineering design review. This design option review process is now underway and City Staff anticipate having designs for us by the end of August. Our normal neighbourhood consultation program would push construction into 2026. So, residents have asked us to use an expedited process. This timeline will permit us to undertake road construction in 2025.

Our office will report developments as we have them with the next milestone expected to be that August date. In the meantime, we continue to meet with City Staff on a monthly basis to ensure the project is on track.

In addition to the Public Information Sessions.  We also conducted a survey which had a great response rate and provided useful information that we are using in our work.

We continue to move forward to develop our 2025 plans. Feedback we have received from emails, phone calls, our survey, individual and group meetings will be integrated with new design options that prioritize pedestrian and driver safety.  City staff are progressing with this work starting with public procurement of consultants to develop the design alternatives.