Penticton’s Martin Street will be going on a ‘sign diet’ for its portion of the lake-to-lake bike lane.
City council chose not to spend the suggested $200,000 on improvements but instead voted 4-2 to direct $50,000 from the city’s gaming reserve to cut down 40 signs and other improvements. The signs that are removed will be relocated, which accounts for a portion of the cost.
Mayor Julius Bloomfield and Coun. James Miller were the votes opposing the motion.
The other improvements include changes to improve turning along the route, and to remove two driveways for parking lots that have alternate access routes.
The two parking lots that are affected include the Slackwater Brewing lot and the city parking lot in the 300 block of Martin Street.
Coun. Helena Konanz had also asked that the installation of bike racks along the street be included in the approved $50,000 motion.
Staff had recommended a $200,000 budget that would also have included changes to the barriers along the route, but that proposal came with sticker shock that had most of council support the less expensive but more limited alternative.
“I fully support the changing of the barrier to the planters,” said Bloomfield. “I actually think that will be a total enhancement that brings some greenery into the streetscape and I think it’s a more acceptable definition between the bike lane and the vehicle lanes.”
Members of council also voiced some concerns about the proposed design with the planters and bollards that staff had presented and recommended.
READ MORE: City wants to put Penticton bike lane on ‘sign diet’
