City to see surge in new stretches of sidewalk

An extensive, multi-year infrastructure project could be a game-changer for North Bay residents when it comes to pedestrian safety and transit accessibility.

The ICIP Sidewalk Program, with a total cost of almost $10-million — and funded by contributions from the federal, provincial, and municipal levels of government — spans from 2021 to 2026 and, according to a City of North Bay staff report, will "benefit the neighbourhoods that do not have existing sidewalks available to offer safe and reliable travel for pedestrians to and from existing transit stops."

The following stretches of road are slated to have sidewalks installed over the next six years:

2021 

• Airport Road from the Kinsmen Trail access near the Davedi Club to Algonquin Avenue
• Lakeside Drive from Trout Lake Road to Sage Road

2022 

• Lakeside Drive from Sage Road to Camelot Drive

2023 

• Lavase Road from Hughes Road to Wickstead Avenue
• Norman from Rancier Street to Dellandrea Drive

2024 

• Georgian Road from Gertrude Street East to Prince Edward Drive
• Seymour Street from Station Road to Commerce Crescent

2025

• Prince Edward Drive from Georgian Road to Marshall Avenue East

2026

• Wallace Road from Commerce Crescent to Lake Heights Road

Following complaints from the public and media coverage of safety concerns surrounding snowed-in transit stops in 2017, sidewalks were later installed on McKeown Avenue and Shirreff Avenue and this program will continue the expansion of essential infrastructure to many other underserved areas in North Bay.

The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) is a 10-year, $30-billion trilateral initiative that funds improvements to public transit; community, culture and recreation; green; and rural and northern community infrastructure.

During Tuesday's regular meeting, North Bay City Council will vote on a recommendation to award J.L. Richards & Associates Limited up to a $929,445 contract for engineering services related to the sidewalk project.

J.L. Richards & Associates Limited scored the highest of five proposals evaluated by staff and provides the best overall value to the City, according to the report. The evaluation considered experience, qualifications, response to the scope of work and price.

According to the report to council, the program will provide for new sidewalks to be constructed on one side of the road in various locations throughout North Bay on existing transit routes. It will also include "the installation of storm sewers, curb and gutter, restoration, and partial asphalt paving including granular road base."

The contract covers "professional engineering services for the design of sidewalks located throughout the City including, related construction assistance and inspection as required."

If approved, the agreement calls for the preliminary and detailed design for all sections to be completed this year, thereby ensuring tender-ready contracts to be issued during the winter period prior to each construction season through 2026. 

Recently, Coun. Mark King suggested City staff could do the proposed Main Street reconstruction design work in-house but this staff report indicates this is not the preferred direction for the sidewalk project:

"Outside services are being utilized since the City does not have the required resources to complete the project in a timely fashion and additionally, the City’s professional services are ineligible costs for third party funding. The City’s professional staff will manage the design project."