The second phase of an initiative allowing snowmobiles on some city streets is at Timmins council this week.
Last winter, the Timmins Snowmobile Club launched a multi-year trial project to make the city more snowmobile friendly. It opened up a number of streets to snowmobilers to access trails, gas stations, restaurants and accommodations.
The first phase allowed snowmobiles with an Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) permit on some streets in Schumacher, Gold Centre, Porcupine, South Porcupine, Mountjoy and Connaught for the 2018/19 season. It also allowed access to the Hampton Inn by Hilton.
Representatives from the snowmobile club are back at council this week to talk about the second phase, opening up streets in Timmins north and south.
Snowmobiles will not be allowed downtown, on major roads, or streets around schools.
Their presentation states during the first phase in 2018-19, Timmins Police received 28 snowmobile-related complaints. It notes, however, that many were not directly related to the routes.
The club received feedback via email and social media about noise and speed on trails, and increased trail patrols for those areas. There was also positive feedback from snowmobilers about being able to access the trails from their yard and people riding slow on streets.
There are conditions for sleds using the road. They are:
- The driver must be at least 16 years old
- All operators have a valid license and insurance
- The speed limit for snowmobiles is 20 km an hour
- Access is only allowed from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The club is also asking snowmobiles to not speed on streets, not use Mattagami Region Conservation Authority walking trils, and not have exhaust modifications on thier sled.
Timmins council meets Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. in council chambers.
The full presentation is available here. You can view the streets being proposed to be open up to snowmobiles for Timmins north here, and Timmins south here.
