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Mayor Jim Watson’s intervention in a controversial bike detour on Holland Avenue has convinced the city to paint bike lanes and install flexible posts to create a safer route for cyclists for the next two years.

The portion of Holland Avenue between Kenilworth and Tyndall streets has been identified as the detour for cyclists and pedestrians impacted by the closing of a footbridge over Highway 417 at Harmer Avenue. The city is demolishing the bridge this weekend before starting work on the replacement overpass.

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The city originally had a rough time finding a balance between providing a safe cycling route on the detour and retaining on-street parking spots on Holland Avenue. It decided to mix vehicular and cycling traffic, retain parking spots and let people bike on one of the sidewalks.

Watson asked staff to review the detour after getting an earful from the public.

Alain Gonthier, director of infrastructure services, summarized the changes to Holland Avenue in a memo to council on Thursday.