Council Approves Cycling and Pedestrian Improvements for Fifth Street Bridge Rehabilitation Project

At the Monday June 24 Courtenay City Council Meeting, Council directed staff to proceed with rehabilitation of the Fifth Street Bridge, including the addition of widened, cantilevered pedestrian and cycling paths on each side of the bridge. The widened pathways would improve accessibility, safety and experience for people who bike, walk, push strollers, and use mobility aids. 

Traffic management plans will now be developed to determine access and safety during construction. The bridge is expected to remain open to single-lane traffic during construction, although short periods of full closure may be required. A broad communications program will be implemented to support the community through the construction period. A preliminary project schedule will be developed, with construction occurring in 2020 or 2021.

In addition, a draft borrowing bylaw will be prepared for Council’s consideration this fall. The $8.3 million project will receive a $1.96 million grant from the New Build Canada - Small Communities fund and the remaining $6.3 million is proposed to be funded by the City, with funding sources possibly including reserves and borrowing.

Public sessions to learn more about the rehabilitation project will be held this fall.

In a separate motion, Council also directed staff to explore options for a potential pedestrian bridge crossing from 6th Street to Simms Park, to be reviewed by Council later this year.

For more information on the Fifth Street Bridge rehabilitation, including Frequently Asked Questions, visit: www.courtenay.ca/fifthstreetbridge