The city's engineering department has been granted a request to undertake a $75,000 study to review the transportation and drainage network along York Road and Sully Avenue.
"Engineering Services is of the opinion that this type of study should be completed in advance of any development within the subject property so that if any infrastructure improvements are required, these can be identified ahead of when development occurs," said Gord Shaw, the city's Director of Planning and Engineering to council Monday evening.
With plenty of interest being generated from surrounding businesses in discussions is a plan to develop approximately 20 acres of a 96 acre area with more work to happen in the future.
"This are already experiences significant truck traffic because of the canola crushing plants and other facilities in this general area." And with that said, Shaw adds, the large parcel of land involved is likely to see increased development within the next two years.
"It is apparent from discussion with the company's engineering team that some building will commence on the site in 2015. Given its strategic location, once this happens, other service-oriented businesses will likely develop the remaining portion..."
Shaw says ongoing discussions have made it apparent the amount of traffic in the area could have repercussions on the transportation network. There are also drainage concerns.
Conducting a transportation study will help reduce potential traffic problems as well as it may lead to further discussions about the transportation network to service the North Industrial lands south of Grain Millers Drive.
The cost of a study comes in at $75,000 which Shaw says will be funded through the Planning & Engineering Department's operations budget.
"It is extremely important that the city is proactive in dealing with the transportation network to ensure future intersection issues can be eliminated as much as possible. Given the amount of traffic projected for this area, we want to ensure that future traffic needs are identified well before they are needed."
