Kingston East News

City Hall and 1211 John Counter Blvd. closed to the public under Province’s Stay-At-Home Order April 7, 2021 Stay home as much as possible, stay safe and shop local....Continue reading

New design of east-side intersection prioritizes walkability, cycling and transit connections February 2, 2021 The City of Kingston has released the final design for the Point St. Mark Drive and Gore Road intersection, part of the Third Crossing bridge project. The new design offers features for cyclists, pedestrians, and transit users along with roadway improvements. ... Providing more sustainable transportation options for residents is a vital part of the Third Crossing project overall, says Mark Van Buren, Deputy Commissioner for Major Projects Office. After hearing from residents and stakeholders, the final design of this intersection reflects Council’s sustainable transportation priorities and community comments by providing several new features for cyclists, pedestrians and transit users to move in and around Kingston. In August 2020, the Third Crossing Project Team started engaging with local residents on the preferred design of the south leg of the Point St. Mark Drive and Gore Road intersection. Based on an informal poll of residents, input from Kingston Emergency Service Providers, and the City’s Transportation Department, the final design restricts vehicle access to prevent motorists from short-cutting through the Point St. Mark neighbourhood and includes new active transportation infrastructure for cyclists, pedestrians, transit users and multi-modal travellers. Highlights of the final design for the intersection include: Safety and connectivity enhancements for pedestrians and cyclists of all ages and abilities; Improved pedestrian facilities with new sidewalks and crosswalks on Gore Road to connect to Highway 15 and the future bridge; Improved cycling facilities, adding off-road cycling facilities, bicycle detection and cross-rides that will allow cyclists to remain on their bicycles and follow directional signals to cross the road (cross-rides work like pedestrian crosswalks); A right-out for vehicles turning onto Gore Road. All other access for vehicles on the south leg of the intersection is restricted. This prevents motorists from short-cutting through the Point St. Mark neighbourhood; A multi-use trail along Gore Road improves connectivity to the rest of the city and encourages active transportation by multi-modal users (and future bridge users!); Access for emergency service vehicles is maintained; and New bus stops and expanded transit infrastructure along Gore Road. The project’s Get Involved Kingston page will be open for public input from Feb. 2 to 23 for residents to see the new intersection design and ask questions. Construction of the intersection will begin this spring and will be completed by the end of 2021. Watch a short, animated video to find out more about cross-rides and to see how an all ages and all abilities (AAA) intersection works.

Third Crossing bridge girders arrive marking new milestone for the project February 1, 2021 Today marks another milestone for Kingston’s historic Third Crossing project with the delivery of the first of 95 150-foot long concrete girders. Once installed, these girders will support the bridge deck and span pier-to-pier.... We’re excited for this next phase of construction where residents will now start to see more work happening above the water, says Mark Van Buren, Deputy Commissioner Major Projects Office. The team has prepared extensively for the safe arrival and installation of these impressive pieces of infrastructure; however, this is still a first for the City. We’re asking the public for their patience as we help them arrive safely into the community with minimal traffic disruption. At 150 feet in length, these girders are some of the largest ever made for a bridge in Ontario. Girders will continue to come through Kingston over the next few months. Placement of the girders will begin near the west shore and continue east towards the steel main span throughout 2021. Due to the size and weight of each girder there is a comprehensive transportation plan laid out for each one that is guided by a permit from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. For more information about the arrival of the girders visit the Third Crossing website.

Final design of Hwy 15 and Gore Rd intersection prioritizes improving walkability, cycling, transit and road improvements We are releasing the final design of Highway 15 and Gore Rd intersection providing you an opportunity to review the future design of the intersection and ask questions of the project team. The final design, which has a focus on active transportation, provides an increase in features for cyclists, pedestrians, and transit users. ... As we continue to build transportation infrastructure projects in Kingston, providing more travel options that are focused on sustainable transportation is a priority. The Third Crossing project will provide alternative methods of transportation for cyclists, pedestrians, transit users and motorists vehicles to connect to different parts of our City and the larger Kingston region. In September 2019, we provided a draft concept design of Hwy 15 & Gore Rd intersection based upon the preliminary work on the Hwy 15 Class Environmental Assessment. Since then, there have been City-wide decisions based on global and municipal interests surrounding climate change and sustainability, which have influenced the final design. You can view the final design and then ask questions of us for two weeks on the City of Kingston’s Get Involved platform from June 15 29. Highlights of the final design of Hwy 15 and Gore Rd intersection prioritizes: Increasing pedestrian facilities with the addition of sidewalks and pedestrian refuge areas at all four corners of the intersection Making it safer for cyclists with the creation of off-road cycling facilities and cross rides so cyclists can move through the intersection easier Providing more travel options by building a multi-use pathway for multi-modal users on both Gore Rd and Hwy 15 Expanding transit infrastructure in all directions by allowing for transit queue-hopping and providing bus stops at the intersection in all directions for future service Supporting various methods of commuting around Kingston that encourage sustainable transportation This engagement is not about the Hwy 15 Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) that looked at the current and future transportation needs of pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and motorists. For information about the Hwy 15 Class EA residents can visit the Highway 15 project page. ttps://getinvolved.cityofkingston.ca/highway15-goreroad

Here is a reminder to drivers

A job well done to the City of Kingston road crews who have been working all night to get our streets back to normal and drivable

Looking for a new job with the City? Kingston Transit seeks 14 customer-friendly bus operators KINGSTON, ONT./Feb. 1 , 2016 Kingston Transit is offering more service, more often and that means it needs 14 more bus operators. And it’s using stories from its existing bus operators to help attract customer-friendly talent from Kingston and beyond.... We know our friendly bus operators help make riding Kingston Transit a great experience, so we asked them what attracted them to the job. The answers we got were amazing. In addition to the pay, they love the flexible shifts, meeting people, job stability, support from co-workers and the view from the driver’s seat, says Jeremy Da Costa, manager Kingston Transit. He says Kingston Transit’s My Story campaign to recruit bus operators is also a way to celebrate the great bus operators who have helped to attract riders to the transit system during its recent growth spurt. Kingston Transit’s goal is to be a viable transportation choice that competes with the car in terms of comfort, convenience, reliability and travel time. KINGSTON TRANSIT IS ADDING MORE SERVICE. IT’S A GREAT TIME TO HOP ABOARD! Fast facts about Kingston Transit’s growth: - Three express routes have been created since 2013. Kingston Transit is planning further service enhancements including more service, more often on Express Route 501/502 starting September 2016. Frequency of service will increase to every 10 minutes during peak communting hours (Monday Friday). - More than 50 bus operators have been hired since 2012. - Over 4.65 million trips were taken by riders on Kingston Transit in 2015 an 11 per cent increase in ridership following a 13 per cent increase in 2014. Interested? Find job details at and apply by Friday, Feb. 26 at . Qualifications: - Grade 12 diploma or equivalent education - Two years of experience working in a customer service occupation. - A valid G licence* with at least five years driving experience. *Selected applicants will be trained to be upgraded from a G to a CZ licence. Plan your bus trip with Google Transit:

Utilities Kingston warns customers: Ask for identification at the door Door-to-door salespeople may be misrepresenting themselves If someone is at your door, claiming to represent Utilities Kingston or their contractor Neptune Technology Inc., here is what to do: ask to see their Utilities Kingston identification or their Utilities Kingston contractor ID and Neptune ID.... Our customer service representatives can confirm valid ID numbers when you call 613-546-0000, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Utilities Kingston has received reports from residents who have been approached by people going door-to-door and misrepresenting themselves as being contracted by Utilities Kingston or providing other false information. They appear to be doing this in order to gain access to homes to inspect furnaces or water heaters, or sell water filtration systems. Utilities Kingston wants customers to know that Neptune Technology Group will visit homes and businesses in Kingston in order to replace end-of-life water meters. Technicians will always be in uniform and carry Utilities Kingston contractor ID. However, Neptune does not make unannounced ‘cold calls’ at the door. As Neptune installers move into your area, you will receive an informational pamphlet by mail, which contains all necessary booking information along with details about the installation program. Watch for an appointment pamphlet in the mail and then follow the instructions to schedule an appointment. Customers are reminded: Always make sure you get a business card and look at the salesperson’s ID badge first. Don’t share personal information (i.e., your gas or electricity bill). Neptune or Utilities Kingston technicians will not ask you to sign a contract at the door. They will ask you to enter your signature in a handheld device before and after they complete work to replace the water meter at your home. Neptune or Utilities Kingston technicians will not ask you to provide a void cheque, or credit card information at the door. You do not have to let sales people in your home or even open your door. Remember, you have the right to ask sales people to leave your property. If they don’t, then contact police. Learn more about your consumer rights and about the water meter replacement program when you visit Have you been approached by somebody going door-to-door who concerned you? Contact 613-546-0000 to let us know during regular business hours, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. 5p.m.

https://thirdcrossing.cityofkingston.ca/home

Leaf Collection begins next week! Leaf collection starts next week! Check your collection calendar to see which week we will be collecting your materials and make sure to have them set out the Monday of your collection week by 8 am. Please watch our instructional video on the City of Kingston YouTube channel, to see how to set your leaves out correctly and make collection safe for your collectors. https://www.cityofkingston.ca//garbag/waste-tools/calendar

https://mailchi.mp//your-connection-to-the-third-crossing-

Kingston Airport welcomes FLYGTA visitors August 31, 2020 The City and Tourism Kingston are pleased to announce that FLYGTA will add Kingston to its list of premier Ontario destinations beginning Sept. 10 the first stage in working toward potential daily air service to and from downtown Toronto and a link to the Porter Airline network....Continue reading

News Emergency Order targets COVID-19 risks in the community September 18, 2020 Mayor Bryan Paterson has issued a new emergency order requiring physical distancing on sidewalks, streets and boulevards to discourage congregating and loitering in the downtown area. The order is restricting groups to be no larger than 10 people in these specific areas (see attached map)....Continue reading

Emergency order issued to ensure physical distancing in City parks September 4, 2020 In close collaboration with Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, Mayor Bryan Paterson has taken additional steps to help address potential COVID-19 risks in the Kingston community. Pursuant to Bylaw Number 2020-068, a By-law for the Provision and Enforcement of Orders During a Declared Emergency, Mayor Paterson has issued an emergency order, effective September 4, to ensure that phys...ical distancing is being followed in all City Parks. Under this Order, individuals must maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from all other persons while in a City park. The Gord Downie Pier at Breakwater Park and adjacent areas will also now only be open to the public specifically from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Mon.-Sun. Recurring situations in City Parks where individuals are not practicing physical distancing present an increased risk of COVID-19 community transmission, says Mayor Bryan Paterson. This is an important step to ensure that health regulations and recommendations are being followed for the community’s wellbeing. The order applies to all of Kingston’s City-owned and administered parks. This includes elements such as playing fields, play structures and community recreation and leisure facilities. Signage will be clearly placed in areas where this order is in effect. The above physical distancing requirements in City Parks do not apply to: children under 16, who are with their parents individuals who are members of the same household situations where physical distancing may not be possible for the purposes of using a public restroom situations where physical distancing is not possible due to health and safety requirements Residents will still be able to walk through and use portions of any park that are not otherwise closed and can still use associated amenities, such as fields and play structures. On March 26, 2020, Mayor Paterson decaled a state of emergency, under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. Under Bylaw 2020-068, the head of City Council may make orders that are believed necessary and essential under the circumstances to prevent or mitigate harm to individuals. Enforcement possible under Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) Individuals who fail to maintain physical distancing while in City Parks can be fined $500 under the City’s AMPs for failure to comply with an emergency order. Any fines issued under the City’s AMPs can be paid and appealed directly through the City.