The City of Courtenay is hosting a public information session to collect input for the conceptual design of the Complete Streets pilot project on Thursday, May 5, from 6-8 p.m. in the Native Sons Hall Upper Level.
According to Complete Streets for Canada, a Complete Street is defined as follows: "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."
In February, 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.
In Courtenay the pilot project location is 5th Street between Fitzgerald and Menzies Avenue. This project 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 with information on the Complete Streets approach, and interactive displays, including a survey and the opportunity to design your suggested cross-section for 5th Street.
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 courtenay.ca/completestreet