This year, the City of Courtenay has completed three paving projects that were identified through its asset management program. Projects were based on a thorough condition assessment of the infrastructure network, and will extend the useful life of the road.
On Lake Trail Road from Willemar to Arden, asphalt revitalization and shoulder improvements include new marked, buffered bike lanes. The same work has been carried out on a stretch of Cumberland Road, from Willemar to 2112 Cumberland Rd. Piercy Road from 17th to Tull has also undergone asphalt revitalization.
In addition, paving on Lerwick Road from Ryan to Mission roads added a second layer of asphalt, eliminating the ridges at the edge of the road along the gutter line, which were a barrier for cyclists. The City also added marked bike lanes on Lerwick between Mission Road and Waters Place, as identified in the Transportation Master Plan.
The City is also improving several intersections in Courtenay. The Best Routes to School for Puntledge Elementary at First Street and Rod & Gun Road was identified for upgrades through School District 71’s Hub for Active School Travel (HASTe) program. An improved pedestrian crossing is also nearing completion at Queneesh Elementary. The existing crossing for Puntledge Park at Woods Avenue was also improved. Curb extensions at Fourth Street and Duncan Avenue downtown will shorten pedestrian crossings, and include two new accessible parking spaces, complete with sidewalk letdowns. Curb extensions will also be built on all four corners at Sixth and Fitzgerald to improve those crossings, particularly the existing crosswalk across Fitzgerald. Improvements are also planned at 21st and Fitzgerald.
The City received more than $225,000 in funding through the BikeBC grant program. This money will go towards expanding Courtenay’s cycling network with the construction of two projects:
•The Fitzgerald corridor cycling expansion project will connect the downtown core to existing cycling infrastructure and provide a north/south spine to move bikes across the City;
•The Hobson network connector will form the north/south spine for the east side of the City. It will connect the Hawk Greenway to Ryan Road and its commercial nodes.
The City partners with ICBC as part of the corporation’s Road Improvement Program. In 2019, ICBC has contributed more than $40,000 to the above road/pedestrian safety projects.