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more walk and bike friendly

Northern B.C. communities to receive $1.8 million in pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure funding

Jun 24, 2020 | 12:36 PM

HARTLEY BAY—The Province announced that several communities across northern B.C. will receive grant money to create new, and improve old pedestrian and cycling infrastructures.

More than $1.8 million in Active Transportation Grants have been awarded to the following six communities:

  • $435,000 – Burns Lake and the Lake Babine First Nation for a sidewalk improvement project that will connect the Lake Babine Nation to the local hospital, seniors’ care facilities, medical clinics and other community facilities;
  • $413,000 – Fort St. John for three multi-use pathways that will improve community connectivity;
  • $433,866 – Gitga’at First Nation for the Txalgiu Destination Trail that will include amenities and water access for paddling transportation;
  • $217,635 – Terrace for the Munroe St. Active Transportation Enhancements project;
  • $328,226 – Vanderhoof for the Riverside Park multi-use path project that will connect to a community bus stop, seniors’ residence, tourist attractions, and downtown

The B.C. Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants program provides Indigenous governments, municipalities and regional districts with financial support to build new infrastructure and make improvements to existing networks. The program supports goals set out in the Province’s CleanBC plan, as well as Move. Commute. Connect. – B.C.’s strategy for cleaner, more active transportation.

“The Lake Babine Nation would like to take the opportunity to thank the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for supporting the Lake Babine Nation and the Village of Burns Lake for initiating this exciting new development within our community.”—Gordon Alec, Chief of Lake Babine First Nation

An additional $25,000 in funding has been approved for the Witset First Nation to develop active transportation network plans in order to be considered for future infrastructure funding.

Approved projects may include safety improvements to sidewalks, improved lighting along pathways, multi-use and protected travel lanes, and other amenities that connect people to public transit, downtown cores and schools. Projects receiving funding strengthen Indigenous initiatives, land use planning and have the potential to generate tourism and other economic benefits.