Active transportation grants benefit B.C. communities

by ahnationtalk on February 16, 202327 Views

Feb. 16, 2023

VICTORIA – Seventy-four local and First-Nations-led projects to help plan and build safe, inclusive active transportation connections are moving forward in communities around the province.

“We know that people will choose active transportation more often when there is safe and accessible infrastructure for it in their communities,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “We’re investing in new and improved infrastructure to give families more options, which will benefit generations of British Columbians and help us meet our climate goals.”

Projects approved to receive funding through the Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants program include multi-use pathways, protected bike lanes, pedestrian bridges and regional connections, as well as lighting, sidewalks and other safety improvements. For this intake period, $20 million in funding was budgeted, an increase of $8 million from the 2021-2022 funding cycle.

“Our government is committed to building livable communities and improving quality of life for people everywhere in this province,” said Dan Coulter, Minister of State for Infrastructure and Transit. “These projects connect people and promote greater participation in society for people of all ages and abilities.”

Through the program, the Province partners with local, regional and Indigenous governments to make cost-sharing investments to a maximum of $500,000. Indigenous governments and partnerships between local governments and Indigenous governments are eligible for 80% of a project’s cost. For local governments, the Province will invest between 50% and 70% of a project’s cost based on the population size.

“Our government is committed to investing in active transportation projects because we know that they have positive effects on our communities,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “These projects and infrastructure promote health and wellness, reduce greenhouse gas pollution and improve livability for people and our neighbourhoods. Together with our municipal and Indigenous partners, we are taking meaningful action toward our climate commitments and will continue to look for opportunities to partner in active transportation projects to help build better communities.”

An example of a recent partnership is the Centre Street 2021 Active Transportation project, an 800-metre sidewalk with benches and bike racks that connects the communities of Burns Lake and the Lake Babine Nation.

“Lake Babine Nation and the Village of Burns Lake continue to build our relationship and the Centre Street sidewalk project is a prime example of that effort,” said Dale Ross, director of public works, Village of Burns Lake, and Bernard Patrick, capital infrastructure director, Lake Babine Nation. “This unique partnership is a stellar example of how a shared vision and collaboration can result in a project that improves the connection between our communities and is delivered on time and on budget. On behalf of our communities, we’d like to extend our sincere appreciation to the B.C. Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants program. Without this partnership the project would not have been completed.”

To further support Indigenous communities and their partnerships with local governments, the program is beginning a rolling intake for Indigenous projects so that communities may apply at any time.

The Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants program supports the Province’s CleanBC commitment to increase shares of trips by walking, cycling and transit by 30% by 2030.

Learn More:

For more information about the Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants program, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/funding-engagement-permits/funding-grants/active-transportation-infrastructure-grants

For more information about CleanBC, visit: https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Media Relations
250 356-8241

BACKGROUNDER

Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants program

The Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program offers two grant options: the Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant and the Active Transportation Network Planning Grant.

The 2022-23 grant program will support 59 infrastructure projects and 15 network plans provincewide.

Northern B.C.

Burns Lake in partnership with Lake Babine Nation – 9th Avenue Active Transportation
New sidewalks will connect William Konkin Elementary School to the community’s existing active transportation network.
Chetwynd – District of Chetwynd Nicholson Road Sidewalk
New sidewalk along Nicholson Road will provide safe walking route for youth, seniors and families.
Fort St. John – Surerus Park Trail Lighting
Lighting improvements along the multi-use path at Surerus Park.
Gitlaxt’aamiks Village Government – Wright Boulevard Sidewalk and Storm System (Phase 1)
New sidewalk in residential neighbourhood with storm system to support sidewalk construction.
Quesnel – Riverfront Trail to Front Street Accessible Connector
Paved multi-use path connecting the Fraser Village Senior Citizens Apartments to the Riverfront Trail.
Taylor – Participation Trail
Paved multi-use trail to complete loop around Lone Wolf Golf Course. Includes better trail access, new bike parking facilities and improved wayfinding.
Witset First Nation – Witset Canyon Trail Project (solar lighting component)
Smart-grid solar lighting will improve safety on multi-use path from Beaver Road to the Witset Canyon.

Kootenays

Kimberley – Active Transportation Infrastructure Project 306 Street/Marysville Elementary
Paved sidewalk will improve safety for students attending Marysville Elementary School.
Nelson – Bike Parking Facilities
Bike parking facilities around Nelson’s downtown core and other high-traffic areas.
Nelson – Fairview Sidewalk Connections
New sidewalks along Elwyn Street and Davies Street will enhance safety for residents, students attending Selkirk College and other local amenities.
Radium Hot Springs – Radium Hot Springs North-South Active Transportation Corridor
Multi-use path will connect North Radium Hot Springs to the Old Coach Trail that leads to Invermere.

Thompson Okanagan

Chase – Coburn Street Pedestrian Upgrades (Phase 1)
Dedicated pedestrian lane will connect to existing sidewalk at Shuswap Avenue and end at Okanagan Avenue.
Columbia Shuswap Regional District in partnership with Splatsin – Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail
Rail trail will include road crossings, barriers and signage, allowing safe public access for recreational active transportation use.
Invermere – Invermere Athalmer Trails (Area H)
New multi-use path along Fourth Avenue from Borden Street to Laurier Street as part of the Shuswap Band-District of Invermere Joint Active Transportation Network Plan.
Kamloops – Highway 5A Multi-Use Pathway
Multi-use pathway will run parallel to Highway 5A between Laurier Drive and Hugh Allan Drive, connecting to existing sidewalks and bicycle lanes.
Kelowna – Casorso Active Transportation Corridor
Project will extend Ethel/Casorso Active Transportation Corridor from KLO Road to Lanfranco Road by adding protected bike lanes.
Lumby – Grandview Multi-Use Pathway Corridor
Multi-use path will connect residential neighbourhoods to Lumby’s downtown core north of Highway 6.
Oliver – The Ditch Trail
Multi-use trail along the irrigation canal from Similkameen Avenue to Panorama Crescent.
Penticton – Lake-to-Lake AAA Bike Route
Existing painted bike lanes will be upgraded to AAA separated bike lanes and improvements will be made to existing pedestrian infrastructure.
Penticton Indian Band – Green Mountain Road Pathway
New pedestrian facilities including paved sidewalk along the south side of Green Mountain Road.
Princeton – Lighting on Bridge Street and Vermillion Avenue
Improved lighting on two high-traffic streets will increase safety and support active transportation choices.
Rossland – Rossland Downtown Covered Bike Parking and Washroom Facility
Public washroom and covered bicycle parking with other end-of-trip amenities in Harry Lefevre Square
Salmon Arm – Ross Street Underpass (Phase 2)
New multi-modal underpass of the CN Railway includes providing a direct connection between the downtown core and waterfront.
Slocan – Village of Slocan Crosswalk Rehabilitation Project
Installation of permanent thermoplastic crosswalks at high-traffic intersections will increase visibility and safety for all road users.
West Kelowna – Boucherie Road Multi-Use Pathway (Phase 2)
Multi-use pathway on Boucherie Road between Ogden Road and Gregory Road will connect to existing active transportation infrastructure including the Boucherie Road Multi-Use Pathway Phase 1.

South Coast

Abbotsford – Marshall Road Corridor Improvements
Two-way protected bicycle lane and supporting multi-use pathway facilities including a pedestrian sidewalk segment, actuated crosswalks and transit stop improvements for mode integration.
Anmore – Sunnyside Road Multi-Use Pathway
Project to complete multi-use paths along Sunnyside Road and East Road.
Bowen Island – Multi-Use Path (Phase 4)
Cross-island multi-use path from Artisan Lane to Charlie’s Lane.
Chilliwack – Tyson Road Pedestrian and Cycling Improvement Project
Sidewalk installation and cycle lane improvements on Tyson Road between Evans Road and Watson Road.
Coquitlam – Guildford Greenway
Project will upgrade existing bike lanes to protected bike lanes.
Maple Ridge – 117 Avenue Multi-Use Path
Multi-modal route running parallel to Lougheed Highway and provides a direct connection to the Ridge Meadows Hospital entrance. The project also connects to Maple Ridge Elementary, Hammond Stadium, Jordan Park and Maple Ridge Town Centre.
Port Coquitlam – Kingsway Ave Multi-Use Path
Multi-use path on Kingsway Avenue from Kelly Avenue to Coast Meridian Overpass as part of a corridor road improvement project.
Port Moody – St. Johns Street Multi-Use Path (Phase 1)
Multi-use path along the south side of St. Johns Street between Albert Street and Moody Street and a short section of multi-use path along the east side of Moody Street between St. Johns Street and Clarke Street.
Richmond – Steveston Highway Multi-Use Pathway (Phase 2)
Fully separated multi-use path along south side of Steveston Highway from Mortfield Gate to No. 2 Road.
Township of Langley – Fraser Highway North Side Multi-Use Path
Road widening and multi-use pathway project along north side of Fraser Highway between 246 Street and 250 Street, and along 248 Street north of Fraser Highway.
Township of Langley – Fraser Highway South Side Multi-Use Path
Road widening and multi-use pathway project along south side of Fraser Highway between 246 Street and 250 Street and along 248 Street south of Fraser Highway.
Tsleil-Waututh Nation – Tsleil-Waututh Nation Thomas Creek Pedestrian Bridge Project
Installation of bridge over Thomas Creek will provide AAA crossing on Tsleil-Waututh Nation lands that will connect Community Village and Apex Village.
Tzeachten First Nation – Bailey Road Pedestrian and Cycling Improvements
Sidewalk and painted bike lane along south side of Bailey Road will connect with currently-in-progress multi-use pathway on Chilliwack River Road.
UBC University Endowment Lands – Bringing Regional e-Bike Share to the UBC Vancouver Campus
Will install 10 electrified-bike share stations on Vancouver campus fully integrated with the City of Vancouver’s bike share program.
Vancouver – Power Connections for Micromobility Services Like E-bikes and E-scooters
Project will install charging infrastructure for micromobility devices across Vancouver.
White Rock – Helen Fathers Centre Street Walkway
Pedestrian-only walkway on Centre Street between Columbia Street and Marine Drive.

Vancouver and Gulf Islands

Capital Regional District-Mayne Island – Mayne Island Regional Trail – Phase 1 Development
Off-street multi-use pathway between Village Bay Ferry Terminal and Miner’s Bay Community Park.
Coast Salish Development Corporation – Oyster Bay Village Sidewalks and Trail Project
New sidewalks, including crossings and lighting, and a new trail that connects the residential and commercial areas within Oyster Bay Village.
Colwood – Colwood Active Transportation Counter Implementation
Installation of seven pedestrian and bike counters including two counters with displays.
Comox – Lazo Road Upgrade
Multi-use path, dedicated bike lanes with painted buffer zone and traffic calming features on Lazo Road between Simba Road and Kye Bay Road.
Comox Valley Regional District – Denman Cross-Island Trail
Multi-use gravel trail between Owl Crescent and the Gravelly Bay Ferry Terminal including horse fencing and signage.
Courtenay – Dingwall Steps
Staircase consisting of approximately 150 steps with three rest areas, including benches and scenic views of Comox Glacier. The staircase improves connectivity for commuters accessing schools, a commercial centre and North Island Hospital.
Duncan – Protected Bike Lanes on Coronation Avenue
Protected uni-directional bike lanes with concrete buffers along each side of Coronation Avenue, Ypres Street, and Queens Road, creating a major east-west cycling corridor.
Esquimalt – Tillicum Road Active Transportation Improvements
Protected uni-directional quick-build bike lanes on Tillicum Road from the Gorge Bridge to Craigflower Road and two new actuated pedestrian crossings.
Nanaimo – Albert and Fourth Complete Street (Phase 2)
Sidewalk and cycle path on Albert Street from Pine Street to Milton Street and part of Phase 4 of the Vancouver Island University Bikeway.
North Saanich – McDonald Park Road Multi-Use Path
Multi-use path on the west side of McDonald Park Road between Glamorgan Road and Mills Road.
Port Alberni – Linking Trails in the Roger Creek Ravine
Multi-use gravel path linking Roger Creek Park with the Scott Kenny Trail in the Roger Creek Ravine.
Powell River – Maple and Sycamore Safe Streets
Neighbourhood bikeway on Sycamore Street at Arbutus Street to Maple Avenue at Hemlock Street.
Qualicum Beach – Beach Creek Waterfront Walkway and Viewing Platform
Raised waterfront viewing platform and separated walkway on the shoulder of the Memorial Roundabout and amenities including educational signage, bike repair stand, benches and street furniture.
Regional District of Alberni-Clayoquot – West Coast Multi-Use Pathway
The West Coast Multi-Use Path extension will be a paved path, separated from the highway by a boulevard, connecting the Ucluelet Multi-Use Path to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve ʔapsčiik t̓ašii trail.
Saanich – Shelbourne Street Improvements Project (Phase 2)
AAA bike lanes, new sidewalks, multi-use pathway and utility upgrades on Shelbourne Street between North Dairy Road and Pear Street.
Saanich – Gorge Road West (Phase 1)
AAA bi-directional bike lane with new sidewalks and boulevard separation along Gorge Road West between Admirals Road and Gorge Road.
Tofino – Mackenzie Beach Road Beach Access
Separated multi-use path and cycling end-of-trip facility linking the district’s main multi-use path to Mackenzie Beach.
Ucluelet – Larch Road Multi-Use Path Project
Multi-use path from the corner of Peninsula Road and Bay Street to the corner of Larch Road and Matterson Drive will address critical gap in pedestrian and cycling network.

Provincewide Active Transportation Network Planning Grant recipients:

Alert Bay – Village of Alert Bay Active Transportation Network Plan
Plan will help set priorities for future active transportation infrastructure to improve accessibility, comfort, convenience and safety.
Canim Lake Band – Canim Lake Community Connector Trail
Will build a safe and accessible trail network connecting residential subdivisions.
Cumberland – Cumberland Transportation Master Plan
Work to plan the active transportation network as part of the village’s broader Transportation Master Plan.
Fraser Valley Regional District – FVRD Electoral Area Active Transportation Network Plan
The active transportation network plan will connect communities and provide safe options for active modes of transportation.
Gibsons – Gibsons Active Transportation Network Plan
Development of an active transportation network plan to map existing and new infrastructure and identify prioritization criteria to inform future projects.
Gold River – Gold River Active Transportation Network Plan
Coordinate plans for the Gold River Bikeway and Sidewalk Accessibility Improvement Project.
Islands Trust – Salish Sea Trail Network (Salt Spring segment)
Plan will identify options to build a trail between Vesuvius and Fulford Harbour ferry terminal, completing the Salish Sea Trail Loop.
Kaslo – Kaslo Active Transportation Plan
As part of its official community plan, Kaslo will develop an active transportation plan including safe and accessible pedestrian walkways and alternatives to driving personal cars.
Port Alice – Port Alice Active Transportation Plan
Plan and implement improvements to village infrastructure to provide more active transportation options.
Prince Rupert – Transportation Plan & Details Design for Reconfigured 2nd Avenue
Supports the development of the active transportation component of Prince Rupert’s transportation plan.
Quesnel – Active Transportation Plan Update and Expansion
Updated active transportation plan will incorporate new and future developments and will recommend infrastructure, policies and educational initiatives to further encourage active transportation.
Regional District of Alberni-Clayoquot – Sproat Lake Active Transportation Plan
Plan to collect necessary information to enhance the existing trail network in the Sproat Lake Electoral Area.
Shackan Indian Band – Shackan Indian Band Active Transportation Network Plan
Shackan Indian Band will develop an active transportation network plan that will help the community to rebuild after the catastrophic events of 2021, including wildfires and flooding.
Tk’emlups te Secwépemc – Planning for Connection to the City of Kamloops
Planning for a paved pathway with various safety features along the west side of Mount Paul Way from Sarcee Street West to the Red Bridge.
Tsawwassen First Nation – Tsawwassen Drive Network Planning and Streetscape Design Project
Project will create a unique streetscape for residents and streamline a process for decision-making, managing change within the Tsawwassen First Nation Community Housing Area.