It's not how you dress it up, but what gets done that counts!

Steve Jobs is too busy creating new experiences to change his wardrobe.

Its deja vu, all over again!

The more things change, the more they stay the same!  Although Steve Job's attire hasn't changed, innovative Apple has released more successful new products than........



Year ~2000 issues on the Burlington Cycling Committee

1. no safe north / south bike corridors
2. liftbridge needs a safe lakeside crossing
3. overpasses crossing the QEW are dangerous
4. 1997 bikeways plan snail's pace progress?

Year 2011 issues on the Burlington Cycling Committee

1. no safe north / south bike corridors
2. liftbridge needs a safe lakeside crossing
3. overpasses crossing the QEW are dangerous
4. 2009 cycling master plan snail's pace progress?

Its not all doom & gloom.  Some very positive notes:

1. we now have bike lanes on Brant St. north of Victoria
2. bike lanes on Guelph Line Lakeshore Road to New St.
3. paved hydro corridors
4. Fairview interchange with coloured bike lanes, slower speeds & streetscaping.
5. half measure at the canal liftbridge
6. a new cycling master plan (funding, what funding?)
7. The 2010 Ontario Bike Summit is in Burlington & features a keynote address by the mayor of Portland, Oregon one of the most innovative, cycling friendly cities in North America!

For those of you who cringe at change, more change is coming!

Boldly getting us to where NO OTHER MP has taken us before!

In good company, getting it done!

Thanks to the efforts of MP Mike Wallace, the government department that owns the liftbridge (Public Works Government Services Canada - PWGSC) will study the cost of adding a lakeside multipurpose path on the bridge.  The  lakeside path will make it safer to cross at the liftbridge, eliminating the need to use the too narrow current path.

An accident waiting to happen!

PWGSC has stated that the required over haul of the bridge mechanics and electronics must be completed before the path.  As a taxpayer, it makes sense to complete the 2 projects at the same time.

The multipurpose path is an investment.  Based on statistics from the Niagara Region & health data, the investment will be paid back in as few as 2-3 years in tourism dollars, health benefits from active living, improved quality of life and a better environment.  All this and increased safety!

Thanks Mike!  Make it so!

PS:  If PWGSC receives funding & decides to do both projects at the same time, we  are talking 2013 at the earliest.

Psst - Wanna a buy a used bridge, cheap? Can we give it to you?

If you listen to the party line from Public Works Government Services Canada (PWGSC) staffers, the fabulous, historical Burlington Canal Liftbridge is the orphan it never wanted, doesn't need but is forced to care for!

Burlington MP Mike Wallace held his long awaited round table for stakeholders affected by the Burlington Canal Liftbridge. This meeting was needed after it was determined that the Economic Action Plan funding for the bridge was maintenance spending for a scrape and paint job not really new infrastructure spending.

PWGSC presented 5 expensive options that provided a safer way for vulnerable road users to cross. Participants, including denizens from Burlington City Hall, Hamilton Waterfront Trust, MTO & the respective cycling committees easily narrowed the options to: #1. building a new path on the lake side of the bridge or #4 paving the bridge deck & establishing a multi-purpose lane for vulnerable road uses o the bridge. Guesstimated costs were in the $12 - $20 million dollar range.

Our group asked PWGSC to strip out the cost of relocating the control tower & using high tech video cameras instead. Based on an early Declan report, the tower relocation was over 80% of the cost.

Numerous studies have shown that the investment in the bridge will pay for itself in lower health costs, better quality of life, environmental improvements and tourism benefits. However, none of these factors are taken into account by PWGSC whose sole goal is to divest & maintain.

The saga continues in January 2010. Meanwhile cyclists & pedestrians continue to risk their lives crossing the bridge. One Sunday morning I encountered a group of confused cyclists that slowed down & stopped on Eastport Dr. They were unsure how they should cross. Note the large tanker truck that passed the cyclists. Luckily, he was able to move his rig into the unoccupied left lane.

Gene