TORONTO — Ontario’s transportation minister says he does not consider the Metropolis of Toronto’s estimate that it’s going to price $48 million to take away bike lanes on three main roads within the metropolis, however he has not supplied an estimate of his personal.
Prabmeet Sarkaria says the province will have a look at the prices, however he believes the price of not eradicating them is “far better.”
The Progressive Conservative authorities is fast-tracking laws that will require municipalities to ask the province for permission to put in bike lanes after they would take away a lane of car site visitors.
It additionally plans to go one step additional and take away sections of Bloor Avenue, Yonge Avenue and College Avenue bike lanes and restore them as lanes for car site visitors.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow requested metropolis employees to look into what might be achieved to push again, and a employees report final week concluded that work to take away the three bike lanes would price greater than $48 million and certain result in solely minimally quicker commutes for drivers.
Sarkaria says eradicating the lanes can’t price double the worth tag of set up.
A legislative committee is conducting in the future of public hearings on the laws Monday.
Among the many first presenters is the Affiliation of Municipalities of Ontario, which says that municipalities are finest positioned to make selections on bike lanes with out provincial intervention.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Nov. 18, 2024.
Allison Jones, The Canadian Press
