Use of City Trail System Spikes In Week Following Bridge Closure

The number of cyclists and pedestrians using the City’s Trail Visitor centre between 4-6 p.m. in the week following the closure of the Princess Margaret Bridge was significantly higher when compared to the week before the bridge closure.

“We counted the number of bicyclists and pedestrians as they passed by the Visitor centre as a way of sampling residents’ use of recommended alternative forms of commuting during the bridge closure,” said City of Fredericton Recreation Officer Kathryn Baird. “The number of cyclists increased by 125 per cent and the number of walkers went up 28 per cent from one week to the next.”

The use of the City’s trail system by cyclists and pedestrians is one of the reasons why traffic congestion on the Westmorland Street Bridge has been lower than anticipated during construction on the Princess Margaret Bridge. The City’s introduction of Park & Go and Park & Ride locations as well as car-pooling, adjusted work schedules and use of City Transit also are contributing to easing potential traffic delays in the City’s core.

Also, more than 4,000 alternative commutes have been logged in Freddy’s Commuter Challenge by more than 350 active participants. Freddy’s Commuter Challenge is hosted by the City of Fredericton through its in motion strategy and Green Matters campaign in partnership with the Government of New Brunswick, UNB and other major employers in the City.