17th Street Corridor Improvements

Start: Late Summer 2021

End: Completed - September 2022

Last Updated: November 29, 2022

Project Description:

Project Complete!

November 29, 2022: 
Improvements on 17th Street between Fitzgerald and Willemar avenues are complete, making this key link in the Comox Valley’s active transportation network safer and more accessible for people who walk, cycle, and roll. This $1.72 million project is funded through a $1.376 million contribution from the Government of Canada and $344,000 from the Province of British Columbia through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

Active Commuter Upgrades Completed on 17th Street Corridor

    

Project Details

The 17th Street Corridor Improvement project included:

  • new sidewalks from Rotary Trail to Fitzgerald Avenue
  • shorter road crossing distances and new pedestrian-controlled flashing beacons
  • on-street parking maintained
  • curb-protected cycle tracks from Rotary Trail to Fitzgerald Avenue
  • painted, parking-protected bike lanes from Willemar Avenue to Rotary Trail
  • new trees planted on 17th Street at McPhee Avenue

The new bike lanes on 17th Street help link the Rotary Trail, the 5th Street corridor, and the Fitzgerald bike lanes, increasing connectivity in Courtenay’s cycling network. With active travel options encouraging healthy lifestyles, the project was endorsed by School District No. 71, and benefits students, parents, and teachers traveling to Courtenay Elementary and connecting to other local pathways.

View the Photo Gallery of the completed 17th Street Corridor Improvement project.

Active Transportation

Improving connections for people who walk and cycle has been a strategic priority for the City of Courtenay for many years. The Connecting Courtenay: Transportation Master Plan and Cycling Network Plan were created through this process and adopted by Council in September 2019.  An assessment of core destinations, including a review of input from stakeholders and the public, identified a number of gaps in the existing cycling network, including 17th Street between Fitzgerald Avenue and Willemar Avenue.

How much did this project cost?

100 percent of eligible project costs will be funded through the $1.7 million grant from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream.

News

August 20, 2021: Canada and British Columbia invest in local infrastructure to help build community connections in the Vancouver Island region

Project Status:

Construction Complete