Fredericton: Smart Growth, Mobility and Greenspaces Timeline
Capital City Traffic Study
A study was undertaken to manage traffic within the City, minimizing bottlenecks and improving the flow of traffic. Less traffic congestion and less time spent idling contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gases and other pollutants in the air.
First Trails / Bikeways Master Plan
The City released its first Trails / Bikeways Master Plan to establish a vision and strategy for developing the active transportation network in Fredericton.
First dedicated bike routes & lanes
The City first installed dedicated bike routes and lanes, which have been expanded yearly since this time.
Stopped planting Ash Trees
In 2005, the City stopped planting Ash trees in anticipation of Emerald Ash Borers moving into the area. Parks & Trees are currently experimenting with species that are new to the area to replace Ash. The new species are Carolinian species that are more heat tolerant, coinciding with expected changes in whether patterns due to climate change.
Roundabouts to ease congestion and idling
The City started designing and building roundabouts within the City to facilitate the flow of traffic. This has eased congestion and reduced idling times, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Capital City Traffic Study Updated
The Capital City Traffic Study was updated to reflect current and future needs, which will help continued GHG reductions from eased traffic congestion and idling.
Fredericton City Centre Plan Created
Guiding principles of the plan are in line with a more environmentally sustainable way of life. Principles include Walkable & Connected; Vibrant & Livable (included mixed-use areas); and Ecologically Sustainable & Resilient.
Imagine Fredericton
Imagine Fredericton was a public consultation process that served the purpose of ensuring citizens could contribute to the Growth Strategy and Municipal Plan by sharing their values and aspirations for the City’s future. Feedback was relevant to environmental goals.
Fredericton Main Street Urban Design Plan Created
Similar to the guiding principles of the City Centre Plan, the Main Street guiding principles focus on creating a neighbourhood that is Walkable & Connected; Comfortable & Livable (including mixed-use areas); and Sustainable.
Active Transportation Connection Plan
The City hired a consultant to complete an Active Transportation Connection Plan with the purpose of “guiding the growth of cycling and pedestrian infrastructure over the next 10+ years.” Expanding the active transportation network, of course, provides added opportunities for more citizens to choose active transportation for their commutes rather than travelling by car.
Walking bridge important for active transportation network
Over 600,000 pedestrian trips across the walking bridge throughout the year.
Fredericton Growth Strategy
As a result of the Imagine Fredericton process and work by consultants and staff, the City released the Fredericton Growth Strategy, which describes a community-based vision of how the city should grow over the next 25 years as the population in the City grows and demographic trends change. The strategy contains community goals relating to the environment, including ‘Green and Healthy’ and ‘Sustainable and Efficient.’
Transit Plan
The City is preparing to release a new Strategic Transit Plan which will act as a review of the current transit system and a planning tool for future changes and improvements to the system.
New Municipal Plan
The City is currently developing a new Municipal Plan, which will include feedback from the Imagine Fredericton process, integrate the Growth Strategy, and focus on many environmental components.