Princess Street Upgrades – Active Transportation Options

• A total of 46 respondents participated in the feedback process.

• Option 3 emerged as the most popular, receiving support from 24 respondents.  An additional four respondents expressed preference for either Option 3 or 4, bringing total support for the option to 28 out of 46. 

  Option 3 offers a compromise between maintaining some on-street parking and adding a safer, separated multi-use pathway for pedestrians and cyclists. It was favored for its potential to support active transportation without significantly impacting parking availability.

• Option 4, supported by 8 respondents, was mainly favored for its focus on safety through reduced vehicle-pedestrian interactions.  This option does not balance parking needs as well as Option 3. Option 4 respondents show support for MUP construction, bringing total support for a MUP (Options 3 and 4 combined) to 36 out of 46.
• Option 1, the Town’s standard local/residential road detail, was supported by 5 respondents, who emphasized the need for on-street parking as opposed to bike lanes.  These respondents expressed opposition to bike lanes citing low cyclist numbers and/or concerns about funding priorities.
• An additional 5 respondents had no preference stated. They may have been aligned with Option 1 or wished to see the funds diverted elsewhere. 

Recurring Themes in the Feedback:

1. Balance Parking and Active Transportation:
   • Residents valued Option 3 for preserving parking while adding a safe path for non-motorized road users.  Parking concerns were particularly important for community services, such as churches and daycares.
2. Focus on Safety and Accessibility:
   • There was significant support for improving safety, particularly for children and cyclists. A common theme was the desire for physical separation between vehicles and pedestrians/cyclists.
3. Extension to Sixteenth Avenue:
   • Multiple respondents advocated for extending the proposed improvements to Sixteenth Avenue, and even adjacent to Ranger Park, to enhance the Town's active transportation network. 
   • The concrete sidewalk between Fifteenth Avenue and Sixteenth Avenue was replaced in 2019; therefore, that block was not included in the original project scope -- thus the request to approve extending the project to Sixteenth Avenue as a MUP by replacing the sidewalk.
4. Environmental and Aesthetic Benefits:
   • Respondents emphasized the importance of tree preservation and enhancing the aesthetics of Princess Street. Some Princess Street property owners supported Option 3 only on the condition that no trees would be cut down.
5. Active Transportation Advocacy:
   • Residents highlighted the health and environmental benefits of active transportation, noting the benefits of reduced emissions and better air quality.

Option 1:  No change to Town of Smithers Standard Detail.

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Option 2: Bike Lanes 

• Pros: Utilizes existing bylaw geometric design, offers mode-separated infrastructure.

• Cons: Lacks physical separation between bikes and cars, no on-street parking. 

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Option 3: Multi-Use Path (MUP) with One Side On-Street Parking 

• Pros: Provides physical separation for active transportation users, maintains parking on one side of the street. 

• Cons: Does not separate pedestrian and cyclist modes. 

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Option 4: MUP with No On-Street Parking

• Pros: Reduces paved surface and installation costs, creates more space for utilities, trees, and green space.
• Cons: No on-street parking. 

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We value your input on how these options will impact your experience of Princess Street. 

Feedback can be submitted in any of the following ways:

• Attend the Open House on October 9th from 5:00pm - 7:00pm in the Council Chambers at Town Hall (1027 Aldous Street). 
• Drop off your feedback form at the Town Hall front desk (1027 Aldous Street).
• Email your feedback to devserv@smithers.ca.

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