The City of Courtenay has received $1.72 million in provincial and federal money for improvements to the 17 Street corridor.
The money will be used to install bike lanes and crosswalk upgrades on 17th Street, between Fitzgerald and Willemar avenues.
The 17th Street Corridor Improvement project will include:
• Curb protected cycle tracks with parking between Fitzgerald Avenue and the Rotary Trail;
• Painted, parking-protected bike lanes between the Rotary Trail and Willemar Avenue;
• Curb extensions to improve sightlines and shorten the crossing distance for pedestrians
• Pedestrian activated flashing beacons at Grieve Avenue and Tull Avenue to make pedestrians more visible to motorists.
The new bike lanes on 17th Street will help link the Rotary Trail, the 5th Street corridor, and the Fitzgerald bike lanes, increasing connectivity in Courtenay’s cycling network. 17th Street is also recognized as a safe route to school by the School District’s Hub for Active School Travel program.
The City expects the painted bike lanes between Willemar Avenue and the Rotary Trail will be installed later in summer 2021. Construction of the curb protected cycle tracks between the Rotary Trail and Fitzgerald Avenue, curb extensions, and pedestrian-controlled flashing beacons will occur sometime in 2022.
ALSO: Comox receives infrastructure money for sidewalk, bike lane