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NORTH VANCOUVER – The Province is providing over $2 million in BikeBC funding to improve three important sections of the North Shore’s Spirit Trail, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon announced today.
“These three projects are key parts of the Spirit Trail for commuters and visitors travelling between the Lions Gate Bridge and the SeaBus,” said Falcon. “The Spirit Trail’s eventual route from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove will be a compelling alternative to get people out of their cars and into healthier and greener ways of moving around.”
Approximately $1.25 million of the funding is for a 1.4-km separated bike path on Welch Street in the District of North Vancouver. Construction will begin in fall 2009.
“The Spirit Trail is a fantastic addition to the North Shore as it provides additional opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the outdoors while travelling through the area,” says North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA Katherine Whittred. “I’m pleased to see our government’s continued support of initiatives that promote healthy living an physical fitness.”
“The District of North Vancouver is
very pleased to be partnering with the Province toward the continued expansion
of the Spirit Trail,” said Mayor Richard Walton. “This North Shore-wide trail
will eventually provide our residents of all ages and abilities the opportunity
to explore the community’s diversity from Deep Cove to Horseshoe Bay.”
The second project is a $750,000 investment in a section of the trail running through King’s Mill Park in the City of North Vancouver. Construction on the one kilometre, four-metre wide trail will start in 2010. The final project is also in the City of North Vancouver. The $25,000 in funding will go to on-street improvements on Esplanade Avenue between St. Georges Street and St. Andrews Avenue. Construction will begin later this year.
“The City of
North Vancouver’s portion of the North Shore Spirit Trail represents the City’s
vision to build a greener, more sustainable community,” says Mayor Darrell
Mussatto. “The Bike BC funding from the Province is much appreciated and
demonstrates our shared commitment to providing alternative transportation
options for people of all ages and abilities. Biking is good for our health
and our environment.”
Bike BC is the Province’s new three-year, $31-million program for cycling infrastructure. Through Bike BC, the Province will partner with communities to fund a variety of cycling projects, including the creation of safe and high-quality cycling corridors, improvements to existing cycling infrastructure and other equipment that makes cycling a safer and more convenient option for travellers. Bike BC brings the total investment in cycling to $114 million the Province has made since 2001.
Cycling is a key component of the province’s strategy for encouraging healthy living and addressing climate change, including the Climate Action Plan and the Provincial Transit Plan.
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Public Affairs Bureau Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure 250 356-7707 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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