Council approves Bridge Street Streetscape Plan

This image from the SHIFT Landscape Architecture report on Bridge Street shows the future vision for the street.

By Jeff Helsdon, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The future of Bridge Street could see many changes, from becoming a one-way street in certain areas to placing a higher emphasis on pedestrian safety.

The plan, which would have a price tag of $14 million if implemented today, is merely a plan – one to be executed over a long period in stages. In his presentation on the final plan, David Duhan of SHIFT Landscape Architecture referred to it as a “road map for future development along Bridge Street.”

Work on the plan began in July 2023 and included numerous public input sessions, such as public meetings, information at the farmer’s market, and presentations to council. The comprehensive plan covers the entire length of Bridge Street from Veteran’s Memorial Parkday to Lisgar Ave. It also includes a portion of the mall parking lot.

“We’re looking to establish what we’ll call a civic greenway,” Duhan said.

Besides an enhanced walkway and increased vegetation, the plan will also involve the reconfiguration of certain street sections. It will showcase parts of Tillsonburg’s history.

The goals of the project are:

• Establish an identity for Bridge Street

• Create functional, adaptable, and comfortable meeting spaces

• Integrate historic and cultural elements into the streetscape

• Provide green spaces throughout the entire street

• Improve services and infrastructure to support future development

• Support accessibility, safety and comfort for all

• Strategically provide appropriate resources, where needed

• Explore how future development can be well integrated

Duhan mentioned some historic elements of the street and town in general that could be incorporated into the design as information signs or other elements. He mentioned the former Broadway bridge over the railway, where “people used to get air,” and parts of the Tillson empire.

“How do we adapt that space to be more user friendly. There are different things that can be adaptable,” he said.

The street design was broken down into three distinct parts: the Veteran’s Memorial Walkway, the Market Block, and the Retail Commons, extending from Broadway to Lisgar.

Speaking about the walkway, Duhan said it is already a linear park, but the plan aims to create more of a destination. Some parts of it will simply see the walkway widened, while others will feature interpretative history displays. At the edge, near Rolph Street, a park-like space would be created.

The Market Block is broken into two sections.  The Pedestrian-Focused Street would stretch from Rolph to Bidwell Street and will be changed to a one-way street with pavers. It will have the ability to be easily closed down for vendors and events. Only one parking spot will be lost with the changes. The Clock Tower Commons, from Bidwell to Broadway, will have two-way traffic, but a sidewalk will be added in front of George’s Auto and a path will be created on the south side of the street. There is room for the clock tower to remain where it is, but it may be relocated in the future.

The section from Broadway to Lisgar is currently three lanes in most places.

“Many people shared their experiences with cars moving quickly through here, regardless of speed limits, and challenges with crossing the street,” Duhan said.

The vision in the plan is to narrow the street to two lanes, with only left-turn lanes at both ends. Better defined pedestrian pathways will be added, as well as slight elevations at two of the crossing points. Duhan said it would be “designed for people as opposed to dominated by cars.”

In the mall parking lot, designated areas will be created for drop-off and pedestrian walkways will be constructed throughout the parking lot.

Duhan said contruction would be broken down into three different categories:

Projects with renewal and maintenance – if a sidewalk or roadway is being reconstructed, council can consider incorporating the plan into the work.

Projects linked to future development – some elements of the plan can be incorporated into these developments.

Standalone projects – these would be standalone projects completed when funding became available.

“All of that can get pieces of the vision together,” Duhan said.

Coun. Pete Luciani congratulated Duhan on a well-done plan.

“It’s nice to see there is a road map moving forwad we can work towards,” he said.

Coun. Kelly Spencer asked to clarify whether the street behind the mall is one-way when drop-off spots are added. It was confirmed this was the case.

With the one-way streets, Coun. Chris Rosehart asked how transport trucks would be able to access the area and if there would be any issues for snowplows. Duhan said it was designed so that trucks can back in.

“We know truck traffic changes over time but at this point of time we have accommodated it,” he said, adding snow can be piled on the green space.

Rosehart’s question also highlighted that the plantings will involve native species and shrubs that don’t grow too high.

After receiving the report for information, council moved on to the staff report associated with it. It was accompanied by a lengthy recommendation – which was eventually accepted – that included the plan be incorporated into future design plans, be subject to external funding and future council approval, that staff investigate incorporating the plan into the town’s asset management plan, investigating the incorporation of elements of the plan into the Kinsmen Bridge approval and $25,000 for any missing assessments be incorporated into the 2026 budget.

Mayor Deb Gilvesy wanted to clarify that no money would be spent in this budget year, why staff needed to work on a future plan now, and what the condition assessment was for.

Development Commissioner Cephas Panschow explained that the idea was to close some of the smaller gaps and assess the condition of roads and sidewalks in the plan area that had not been done so. He also said having a plan ready if a funding opportunity came forward.

“The goal would be to have a plan ready so if a program comes forward we’re ready to do that,” he said.

“Is this kind of thing that sits on the shelf, and say in 10 years, that street needs repairs, and the document is pulled off the shelf and we look at if some of this will be incorporated,” Gilvesy asked. “That will be up to future councils.”

Panschow confirmed this, and it was further revealed that no work on Bridge Street is planned in the next 10 years outside of what is being done at Station View Developments.