Some temporary changes are coming to downtown Peterborough streets in preparation for the expected start of the first step of Ontario’s reopening plan on Monday, June 14th.
Step one will see outdoor dining allowed again, with a maximum of four people per table, and the reopening of non-essential retail at 15 per cent capacity.
On George and Water streets, new patio spaces are being installed this week in on-street parking spaces next to businesses that choose to participate. Unlike last summer, both lanes of each street will remain open to traffic. Sidewalks will remain for pedestrian use only.
Portable planter boxes and fencing will be used to separate the pedestrian and patio spaces from the traffic lanes.
As was the case last summer, Hunter and Charlotte streets will both be reduced to a single lane of traffic between George and Aylmer streets, with Hunter Street going one way westbound and Charlotte Street going one way eastbound.
On Hunter Street, one sidewalk will be closed to allow for expanded patio space on the sidewalk next to participating businesses. Expanded pedestrian space will be provided on the closed section of the street to accommodate displaced pedestrians. Fencing and portable planters will be used to separate the pedestrian space from the traffic lane.
On Charlotte Street, expanded patio space will be provided in the closed section of the street and both sidewalks will be maintained for pedestrian use only.
The changes on Hunter and Charlotte streets will take place from May 24 to June 5.
“We’re getting ready so that once the province eases the restrictions to allow businesses to welcome people into their stores and restaurants as well as to open their patios, they’ll be able to use the expanded outdoor spaces right away,” says Mayor Diane Therrien in a media release. “Pedestrians will have more room to physical distance and businesses will have the option for more outdoor space.”
Businesses are being asked to keep sidewalks on George, Water, and Charlotte streets clear of signs or other items to ensure pedestrian have the maximum space available to physically distance.
Except on George and Water streets, where expanded patio space is created in on-street parking next to participating businesses, on-street parking spaces, commercial parking zones, and accessible parking spots will be maintained, with additional parking available at municipal parking lots and municipal parking garages.
There will be designated free 15-minute curbside pickup parking zones throughout the downtown to support curbside pickup.
Cycling lanes will be maintained on George and Water streets. On the sections of Hunter and Charlotte streets between Aylmer and George that are temporarily changed to one-way one lane streets, cyclists and motorists will share the lane.
Peterborough city council approved the temporary downtown public space changes in April, after a review of last year’s experience. The public was consulted to help design the changes planned for this year, with 61 per cent of 1,492 respondents to a survey agreeing the changes would gave them the ability to maintain appropriate physical distancing.
For more information about the changes, including maps, visit peterborough.ca/downtownptbo.
