Cambridge road closures set to begin in May for annual Walk Queen event
Parts of Main Street and Queen Street in Cambridge will be temporarily closed through the spring and summer as an annual initiative returns.
The city is teaming up with the Downtown Cambridge and Hespeler Village Business Improvement Areas for the ‘Walk Queen’ closures.
Although vehicular traffic will be banned within the closures, pedestrians are invited to stroll the streets and visit local shops and restaurants.
“The Seasonal Road Closure Program creates places for people to connect with each other and enjoy time together,” Mayor Jan Liggett said via a media release. “They inject life into the cores with music, dance, dining, shopping and so much more. Residents and businesses have told us year-over-year that these pedestrian-friendly spaces are important for social wellbeing and the joy of interacting with others. I hope the community will continue to enjoy these spaces and the unique core areas the City has to offer.”
Main Street will be closed from Ainslie Street to Water Street seven days a week between May 17 and October 14.
Queen Street East will be closed from Guelph Avenue to Tannery Street on weekends only from May 31 to September 1. The Queen Street East closures are set to start every Friday at 4 p.m. and end on Sundays at 5 p.m.
Businesses share frustrations
The return of the seasonal road closures may not be welcomed by all.
When the program got underway last year, some business owners raised concerns.
They said the initiative hurt their bottom line and started a petition to have the barricade removed on weekends.
At the time, flower shop owner Goran Radulovic said the street closures made it difficult to unload and load deliveries.
"We're kind of losing money for those times when the street is closed," he told CTV News in August 2023.
Gabriella Martone, owner of Continental Hairstyling, voiced similar concerns.
"You know, [clients] don't like to come here on a Saturday, especially when I do weddings they don't want to walk so far, they want parking right at the front door.”
The city said they collected public feedback on the program and received an “overwhelmingly positive” response in favour of the program. They said more than 75 per cent of respondents wanted to see the annual summer closures continue.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.