BRAMPTON, ON — A new report headed to Brampton City Council this week outlines the cost of potential upgrades to bike lanes on Howden Boulevard, with estimates ranging from $730,000 to $5.9 million depending on the option chosen.
The upgrades are part of Brampton’s East-West Cycling Corridor, a seven-kilometre route connecting Howden Boulevard, Williams Parkway, Central Park Drive, Vodden Street, Main Street North, and Hanover Road. Earlier this summer, residents were invited to provide feedback on four design options through surveys and public information sessions.
Seventy per cent of participants favoured the development of a three-metre-wide multi-use path along one side of Howden Boulevard, an option estimated at $2.9 million. However, city staff are recommending Council move forward with the least costly proposal: targeted cycle tracks at two intersections — Howden and Dixie, and Howden and Williams Parkway — for an estimated $730,000.
The recommended cycle tracks would feature two-metre-wide asphalt paths intended for unidirectional cyclist use, measuring approximately 300 metres in length. The design would also accommodate exclusive right-turn lanes at intersections.
Despite strong resident support for the multi-use path option, city staff have positioned the targeted cycle tracks as a first step in a phased approach to expanding Brampton’s cycling infrastructure.
The report will be reviewed by a committee of Brampton City Council on Wednesday.
The discussion comes as the province continues to weigh in on municipal cycling infrastructure. Late last year, the Ford government introduced legislation requiring municipalities to obtain provincial approval before installing bike lanes that would remove lanes of vehicle traffic. The measure was paused after the Ontario Superior Court ruled that the province’s removal of bike lanes on key Toronto routes violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Premier Doug Ford has indicated plans to appeal the decision, arguing bike lanes contribute to increased congestion.
For Brampton, the outcome of Wednesday’s committee discussions will determine whether the city takes a cautious first step toward expanding its cycling network or invests in broader infrastructure immediately.