6th Street Bridge Budget Updated

The 6^th Street Active Transportation Bridge will move forward towards construction, with City of Courtenay Council approving the award of the construction contract and update to the project’s cost estimate.

At the regular council meeting on March 12, Council received the results of the recent request for proposals (RFP) for construction of the key transportation connector. Given the submissions of the RFP, council directed staff to secure $4.3 million in long-term borrowing to complete the project. The estimated overall cost for the work has been updated to $11.2 million, from $6.9 million. The City will continue to explore other funding opportunities to offset project costs.    

The project has been awarded $3.5 million in grant funding, and the balance is proposed to be paid for by long-term borrowing and reserves.

“The 6^th Street Active Transportation Bridge is a cornerstone project for the downtown vitalization plan and an important investment in our downtown core,” said Mayor Bob Wells. “We feel it’s important to continue to move this vital project forward, and will continue to seek grant funding to reduce impacts to Courtenay taxpayers.”

The 6^th Street Active Transportation Bridge will be a four-metre wide crossing over the Courtenay River, from the bottom of 6^th Street to Simms Millennium Park. It is designed for cyclists, pedestrians and other people-powered transportation and will create an integral east-west connection point for the City. It’s included in the City’s Parks & Recreation Master Plan and referenced in the Transportation Master Plan.

Staff will now move forward with award of the contract. The preliminary schedule at this time shows construction on site beginning in fall of 2025 and completion in summer of 2026. For more information on the project, visit www.courtenay.ca/6thstreetbridge.