The proposed new design for First Street was shown to council on Monday and certainly wasn't given the green light.

Ed Houghton, executive director of public works and town consultants Ted Prokopec and David Wood, made a presentation to council about the design of First St.

Ed Houghton said the goal of the design is to move cars through the street smoothly, while at the same time following council's direction of making the community, "pedestrian friendly."

Houghton said the four-lane road - an extension of Hwy. 26 - is used by about 33,000 vehicles per day.

One of the goals is to make First St., a "grand avenue," and to do so, several intersections are designed with additional landscaping and the entire street will have decorative lighting and brick crosswalks.

Houghton said the north side of the street will include a three metre multi-use trail and the south side will have a 1.5-metre sidewalk.

The plan also calls for new streetlights to be installed at Spruce St., and Huron St., in an effort give pedestrians more time to cross the street.

The redesigned First Street will be a five-lane road, including four lanes and one turning lane.

This wasn't what Counc., Sonny Foley wanted to hear.

"My major concern is five lanes," he said.

Foley wasn't alone as Counc. Kathy Jeffery, Counc. Norman Sandberg and Mayor Chris Carrier also said five lanes was too much for First St.

"I think it falls incredibly short," Sandberg said.

Carrier recognized the increased traffic congestion on First St., but says a redeveloped Poplar Sideroad will help deflect some of that traffic away from First St. Carrier said he would go as far to propose an amendment to the original environmental assessment, which outlined a plan for the road.

Houghton said he understands council's concerns, but doesn't know how he can get traffic through First St., "other than what we've showed you."