Overview
The City undertook a creative approach to traffic calming on The Credit Woodlands with its Sharing Lanes program. Sharing Lanes is a method of rapid, low-cost project implementation using techniques designed to enhance the built environment to bring a positive and long-term outcome to the community. This pilot project has been implemented around Bert Fleming Park and will be in place until a permanent solution is developed.
The goals of this pilot project included reducing vehicle speeds and collisions, improving pedestrian safety, and providing safer access points to Bert Fleming Park. To achieve this, the City has completed the following changes:
New traffic flow to improve road safety
- The traffic flow around Bert Fleming Park was converted from one-way traffic to two-way traffic by replacing two traffic islands with all-way stops.
- Six new crosswalks were added, connecting to the park and two nearby schools. This aims to encourage drivers to slow down in the area and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Vibrant designs inspired by the community
- During the public engagement process, the community shared their ideas for asphalt art, and the most common response was to include local nature in the designs. Along sections of the roadway and crosswalks, images of foxes, deer, birds, and squirrels on colourful backgrounds now bring the spaces to life.
- Asphalt art improves road safety by increasing the visibility of crosswalks and other pedestrian spaces. It also encourages pedestrians to cross at the designated crosswalks and drivers to slow down and be alert.
Car-free space for play and connection
- With colourful barricades separating it from the roadway, a new car-free plaza now provides additional space for families and residents to play and connect.
- The City collaborated with students in the Sheridan College Urban Design Program to design and install asphalt art for this space, which incorporates the animal imagery on the roadway and crosswalks and also creates opportunities for free play and games like hopscotch, four-square, and more.
Public engagement
In 2023 and 2024, the City hosted public meetings and online surveys where we received valuable community feedback.