Council Approves MR 35 Four-Laning And Elgin Street Greenway

City Council is throwing their support behind the four-laning of MR 35 in Sudbury.

The project will four-lane the section between Azilda to Chelmsford at an over 38 million dollar price tag.

City councillors were saying its time to knock a couple big roads projects off the list and with work being done on Maley Drive, MR 35 was next.

Ward 3 Councillor Gerry Montpellier says this project needs to happen now and needs to be on the 2018 budget with an environmental study about to expire.

The widening was first recommended in 1992.

Police stats say there have been over 380 collisions and three deaths on the road since 2007.

Nickel Belt MP Marc Serre released a statement saying he is pleased with council’s decision and with advocate for federal funding.

City Council asked for the cost of the Elgin Street Greenway to be lowered and city staff did just that, cutting it in half.

The original price for the bike/walking space connecting Elgin to Bell Park via the Nelson Street foot bridge was 8.5 million, and staff lowered that number to 3.8.

Phase one is the only part that has been approved at this time which would stretch to Minto Street.

City staff also say phase one could function as a stand alone piece if future councils do not proceed with other phases.

The changes would also reduce the CP parking lot by 90 spaces, but staff say that lot is 78% occupied during week peak times.