An investment of $6.8 million from all three levels of government is ensuring the construction of an active transportation bridge on 6th Street in Courtenay.
Thanks to the funds from the federal and provincial governments, along with the City of Courtenay announced April 30, the 6th Street Active Transporation Bridge will provide cyclists, pedestrians and other non-motorized transportation users with a connection from the bottom of 6th Street to Simms Millennium Park and the trail networks on both sides of the Courtenay River.
The project will be a new four-meter-wide river crossing, and it is part of Canada’s National Active Transportation Strategy, which aims to create and improve pathways, bike lanes, and pedestrian bridges throughout over the country.
“The 6th Street Active Transportation Bridge offers a safe and accessible way for people to walk, bike, and roll across the Courtenay River, said B.C.’s Minister of Municipal Affairs Anne Kang in a release.
Courtenay Mayor Bob Wells added the new bridge will help build connections to current and future active transportation routes in east and west Courtenay.
The federal government is investing $2,502,231 in the project through the Active Transportation Fund (ATF). The Province of British Columbia is investing $1 million through the Growing Communities Fund, and the City of Courtenay is contributing $3,383,844.
“This bridge project will benefit cyclists and pedestrians as well as drivers, making crossing the Courtenay River safer and more secure, and enticing more people to embrace active transportation whether on foot or wheels,” said Ronna-Rae Leonard, MLA for Courtenay-Comox. “People in Courtenay have been asking for an option like this for years and as one of the many advocates for this project since the beginning, I’m thrilled we’re working alongside our federal and municipal government partners to fund this project.”