Sault considers converting one-way streets: Traffic study underway to weigh benefits for business, residents.

• Position: City of Sault Ste. Marie - Brief article

The City of Sault Ste. Marie is weighing the value of changing its downtown one-way streets to two-way streets to boost local business and improve livability.

On Dec. 4, the city announced it's launched a study to examine the benefits of converting Bay, Queen, Albert and Wellington streets--all major downtown thoroughfares--to allow two-way traffic. The streets were first converted to one-way traffic in the 1950s.

Carl Rumiel, a design and construction engineer with the city, noted the recommendation for the conversion is included as part of the city's Transportation Master Plan.

"The city's new Transportation Master Plan recommends considering this conversion to benefit downtown business and livability; introduce new pedestrian, cycling and driver safety features; and improve overall accessibility through the downtown and the waterfront," Rumiel said in a news release.

"The main conversion disadvantage is the cost, for example, of new curb work and traffic signals, utility relocations, and property...