The City of Courtenay is hosting a Public Information Session to collect input on the design options for the 5^th Street Complete Streets Pilot Project, on Wednesday October 26, 2016 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

"A Complete Street is designed for all ages, abilities, and modes of travel. On Complete Streets, safe and comfortable access for pedestrians, bicycles, transit users and the mobility-impaired is not an afterthought, but an integral planning feature." Complete Streets for Canada

In February 2016 the federal government awarded $3.253 million to the City of Courtenay to construct a Complete Streets Pilot Project. A pilot project is a small-scale approach to implementing new infrastructure and will give valuable information for future projects.

The pilot project on 5^th Street is happening between Fitzgerald and Menzies Avenues. This site was chosen following the development of a community-wide transportation strategy in 2014 and a detailed assessment of 15 potential sites. The 5th Street corridor is important as it will attract people downtown and support economic development. It also connects to the Rotary Trail along the rail corridor and Fitzgerald Avenue bike lines.

This project will redesign and rebuild the street. It includes replacing underground utility mains (water, sewer and storm water) that have reached their end of life, enhancing walking and cycling facilities, and improving storm water facilities and streetscapes with street trees and vegetation.

The upcoming Public Information Session will have display boards showing five proposed surface treatment options that were informed by the priorities identified by the public through the public information session in May 2016.  A survey will collect the public’s input. For those who are unable to attend the information session, the survey will be posted on the City of Courtenay website starting October 27. 

City of Courtenay Engineering Services staff will be on-hand to provide information and answer questions about the pilot project.

For further information, please contact City of Courtenay Engineering Services at 250-334-4441, email engineering@courtenay.ca or visit www.courtenay.ca/completestreet