CitySSMPeople had the opportunity to learn more at City Hall about how to improve traffic on two major roads in the Sault. At least 30 people turned out at a public open house on Thursday to find out about traffic enhancement on sections of Black Road and Third Line. City staff was collecting feedback on the preferred option of expanding Black Road between McNabb and Third Line to four lanes and widening the two lanes of Third Line East between Black Road and the Sault Area Hospital entrance. City Director of Engineering Services Don Elliott says the two wider lanes will make a difference compared to expanding to four seperate lanes…

In addition, paved shoulders will be provided along the section of Black Road between McNabb and Third Line for cyclists and pedestrians. The reaction from the public has been mostly positive for the preferred option, with the only negative reaction being related to the usual complaints of increased traffic, noise and pollution. This long-term project will follow one that is just wrapping up — the widening of Second Line East between Great Northern Road and Black Road. Elliott talks about a couple of bumps on Second Line — one just off of Black Road, the other going up the hill to Pine Street — bumps that are there despite all the work that has been done this year…

Elliott’s advice about the bumps is for motorists is to try to avoid them until that layer of asphalt is put down. He added that otherwise, the main road is complete while the paths and sidewalks are ‘very close’ to being finished, with some of the street lights still needing to be ‘energized’. Elliott gives a timeline on the Black Road/Third Line project…

As for the short-term, Elliott says an application will be submitted for full Connecting Link funding for Black Road south of Second Line. The funding deadline is the end of January, with an answer expected in March and work expected to start this spring.