The final report of the Picton TMP, endorsed at Council March 11, is rich with suggestions for improving transport in the County, and prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists. 

Sidewalks, improving clunky intersections, like that at the Picton Cenotaph, and bike lanes and paths are top of mind. 

In five years, the report notes, “traffic conditions at the intersections of Picton Main Street & Bridge Street, Bridge Street & Union Street, and County Road 10 & County Road 22 are expected to exceed capacity and require signalization improvements.” 

By 2041, “many intersections (including all the above) are forecast to exceed capacity…due to the influx of development traffic.”

The Master Plan seeks to “provide an all-mode transportation network that promotes full access throughout the Picton settlement area.” Improving the tourist experience is also addressed, especially within activity centres. Walking is prioritized, as are future-proofing and cost-effectiveness. 

Of the proposed long-term, 20-year budget of $104 million, “active transportation” improvements are by far the least expensive innovations, accounting for just 5 percent of the total budget. Pathways, bike-lanes and enhancements to the Millennium Trail are extremely cost-effective. 

Likewise, improving no fewer than ten intersections to support an alternate truck route accounted for just 10 percent of the budget, or about $10 million. The truck route is a “ring-road” strung along existing routes.

The TMP is a set of suggestions, not a direct plan of action.
The Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) process
requires further studies and public consultation
for the proposed George Wright Boulevard extension.

More expensive, longer-term proposals include a reconfiguration of the intersection at the Cenotaph, making the convergence of Walton, Ferguson, Chapel, and Main Streets and the Tim Hortons driveway more straightforward.

The report notes, “the proposed Hull Road Branch and County Road 1 extension are not recommended due to incompatibility with existing policy direction, implementation complexity, and potential impacts to the environment.”

The report proposes a set of “mobility hubs,” where travellers can change modes of transportation, at the Market Lane Parking Area; Mary Street Parking Lot; Picton Fairgrounds; Base31; and the Metro.

Public transportation will focus on building ridership between Picton and Belleville. The study shows that the Picton loop is underused, and that an on-demand model is more efficient. 

While suggesting that ATVs can play a role in transportation alternatives, with special signage, parking areas, and separate routes to protect non-motorized active travellers, the report recommends “the municipality consider prohibition of motorized vehicles on the Millennium Trail along the Settlement Area boundary.”

Funding the Master Plan without major tax levies will depend on external sources. At the federal level, the Canada Community Building Fund and the Canada Public Transit Fund are known infrastructure sources. The Zero Emission Transit Fund is available to assist. At the provincial level there is the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund as well as the Infrastructure Loan Program. The Provincial Gas Tax Program and the Communtiy Transprotation Grant Program are dedicated to improving public transit, and PEC has received funds from these sources. There is also the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, which has supported work on Road 49.

The TMP is a set of suggestions, not a direct plan of action. The Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) process requires further studies and public consultation for the proposed George Wright Boulevard extension. Council has already ruled out the  proposed extension of County Road 22 in a unanimous vote.