Active Transportation Plan

Date
Active Transportation Bike Walk Wheelchair

The Municipality of Middlesex Centre is taking steps toward a more connected and sustainable future with the development of its Active Transportation Plan (ATP). 

Building on the recent Transportation Master Plan, this initiative will create a clear vision and policy framework for active transportation through 2046.

About Active Transportation

The Government of Canada defines active transportation as using your own power to get from one place to another. 

This includes walking, biking, skateboarding, in-line skating/rollerblading, jogging and running, non-mechanized wheelchair use, and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Active transportation benefits our health, society, transportation system, environment, and economy.

This is because active transportation: 

  • gives us an opportunity to be physically active on a regular basis,
  • is accessible to Canadians and increases social interaction,
  • reduces road congestion,
  • contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and
  • saves money on gas and parking.

(Source: Government of Canada, Active Transportation)

What is the Active Transportation Plan (ATP)?

The ATP is a long-term strategy designed to meet the municipality's active transportation needs while aligning with growth plans for Middlesex County and the Province. 

The plan identifies active transportation infrastructure needs, ensuring capital projects and future development supports walking, cycling, and other forms of active mobility.

Key Objectives

The ATP will:

  • Define a vision for active transportation that aligns with municipal strategic goals.
  • Assess existing infrastructure for walking, cycling, sidewalks, and trails.
  • Identify improvements such as new sidewalks, trails, and bike lanes, and enhancements to key roadway crossings to improve safety and accessibility.
  • Address needs in hamlet and urban areas for better local mobility.
  • Coordinate with regional plans, ensuring continuous, connected transportation across municipalities.
  • Develop an implementation plan, including cost estimates and timelines.
Project Timeline

The ATP started in May 2025 and is expected to wrap up in March 2026. It will include the following key tasks.

1 - Existing Conditions and Data Review (May to June)

  • Main Tasks:
    • Guiding vision, objectives, and background data review
    • Review and update existing sidewalk, cycling, and trails network base mapping
  • Deliverables:
    • Existing conditions base mapping

2 - Cycling and Trails Network Development (June to December)

  • Main Tasks:
    • Identify additional cycling network links for consideration
    • Conduct cycling facility (e.g., bike lanes, etc.) selection review for links
    • Refine and finalize proposed network
    • Prepare cost estimates and network phasing
  • Deliverables:
    • Map of proposed additional cycling and trail network links
    • Map of proposed cycling facility types
    • Map of proposed cycling and trails network
    • Cost estimates
    • Map of cycling and trails network phasing

3 - Pedestrian Network Development (June to December)

  • Main Tasks:
    • Map/refine mapping of sidewalk gaps
    • Develop sidewalk gap prioritization program
    • Conduct high-level feasibility assessment and priority assessment
    • Prepare cost estimates and network phasing
  • Deliverables:
    • Map of sidewalk and pedestrian crossing gaps
    • List of sidewalk and pedestrian crossing gap priorities

4 - Design Guidelines (October to December)

  • Main Tasks:
    • Review of engineering standard drawings to identify active transportation needs
    • Review and update multi-use trail design guidelines
    • Crossing Feasibility Assessments
  • Deliverables:
    • Updated Engineering Standard Drawings
    • Updated Multi-Use Trail Design Guidelines

5 - Reporting and Recommendations (January to March)

  • Main Tasks & Deliverables:
    • Technical Network Memorandum
    • Summary report and mapping
    • Council presentation 

6 - Community Engagement (throughout)

  • Main Tasks:
    • Engagement and Communications Plan
    • Location-Specific Engagement Tool
    • Public Information Centre 1 - Date to be confirmed
    • Public Information Centre 2  - Date to be confirmed
    • Connect with Community Services Advisory Committee Meeting and adjacent municipalities
    • Presentation to Council  - Date to be confirmed
  • Deliverables:
    • Engagement and Communications Plan
    • Location-specific Engagement Tool
    • Public Information Centres - materials and summaries
    • Council Presentation
Community Engagement

This project will include multiple opportunities for public input. 

Residents, stakeholders, and Council will be invited to participate through surveys, public information centers (PICs), and engagement sessions—shaping a plan that reflects the needs of the community.

Please watch for engagement opportunities to come as the project progresses. These will be posted to this page, and shared through Middlesex Centre's social media, e-newsletter and print communications.

You can share your thoughts with the project leads at any time. See the Project Contacts below.

Project Documents

Project documents will be added as they become available.

Supporting Documents

Project Contacts

Questions about the ATP can be directed to:

 

Page first posted June 2, 2025.