Hanmer, Valley and Capreol residents are one step closer to having a quicker way home from New Sudbury, Ward 6 Coun. André Rivest said.
The Barrydowne extension, which has been talked about for years, could be mapped out by August, the councilor said.
A request for proposal has been sent out by the city looking for companies to bid on the study portion of the extension.
The study will identify the “exact corridor” to be used for the extension, Rivest said.
The road will likely join Notre Dame Street in Hanmer to the corner of Barrydowne Road and Maley Drive in New Sudbury, Rivest said.
The reason for the extension would be to alleviate traffic concerns on other main roads.
“The problem with Municipal Road 80 right now, at the Lasalle intersection, all the way north, (is that it) is just about at capacity,” Rivest said.
He cited a city report, which stated: “The growth in Valley East over the past few years has resulted in a significant increase in traffic volume on this route. This growth has occurred faster than forecasted during the last transportation study (1992). Municipal Road 80 is currently operating at or near capacity during peak hours.”
Rivest added: “We need the Barrydowne extension to help suppress this.”
The study was budgeted for in 2009, the councillor said.
“The important thing here is to let people know that we are doing the study, the one we budgeted for in 2009.”
There will be two public meetings during the study, in between late May and late June, Rivest said.
“This is where people have to tell us what they want from us.”
