A path through Beacon Hill Park linking James Bay and Fairfield will get an almost $90,000 facelift courtesy of the sewage treatment project.
The improvements will be made through a $100,000 amenity contribution made by the Capital Regional District under the terms of the licence of occupation for the Clover Point pump station.
The plan, developed with representatives of the James Bay and Fairfield Gonzales neighbourhood associations, is to widen the pathway that runs between Heywood Avenue and Bridge Way and on to Douglas Street to turn it into a true multi-modal trail, Brad Dellebuur, city manager of transportation, told councillors Thursday.
“There’s an existing pathway right now. We’re simply widening it out. It’s 1.5 metres. We’re widening it out to 2.7,” Dellebuur said.
“We tried to minimize the amount of widening that we did to limit the impact on the greenspace in the area,” Dellebuur said.
“We’ll improve sight lines and get a better functioning pathway for all users.”
The plan also calls for improved signage and improved access at Heywood and a new crosswalk and signs to connect to the existing multi-use path on Bridge Way.
In many respects, the city will simply be improving what is already being used as a multi-modal path.
“Currently cyclists are not permitted on that pathway in the park, but we were unable get a photo when we were out there that didn’t have a cyclists using the path,” Dellebuur said.
“So it clearly shows that a little bit of widening will help make it more comfortable for all users and the treatment will certainly improve the experience for everybody who is out there.”
Cost of the project is estimated at $88,375. The plan is to do the work in September.
Coun. Margaret Lucas, council liaison to James Bay, said the improvement is important, especially considering the disruptions James Bay residents have already been experiencing due to the sewage treatment project.
