New two-way bike lanes are open on Front St., part of a major redesign of the downtown corridor to encourage active transportation. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Bike lanes open on downtown Nanaimo’s Front St. redesign

Jul 19, 2021 | 5:27 AM

NANAIMO — An overdue and much-debated redesign in the downtown core is open for pedals.

Separated bike lanes and an improved pedestrian experience were the focus of work on Front St. between Port Place Shopping Centre and Maffeo Sutton Park.

Kurtis Noble, project specialist with the City of Nanaimo’s engineering department, told NanaimoNewsNOW the project is largely complete with a few elements still to be finished.

“We need to finish the road markings and new traffic signage, which we expect to be completed in the next couple of weeks.”

The largest piece of the puzzle still missing are new traffic control systems at the Front St. and Church St. intersection.

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Work will consist of adding new traffic control units and bicycle signal boxes and more markings on the ground for cyclists.

“This intersection is currently operating under timers right now rather than traditional detection until this work can be completed.”

Cyclists using the new lanes are being asked to dismount and use the crosswalks until the work is completed in mid-September.

Another major change to the intersection is the closing of a right hand turn lane off Front St. and onto Church St., near the cenotaph.

A right turn lane from Front St. to Church St. was blocked off as part of the redesign, in a bid to slow vehicle speeds turning onto Church St. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Noble said the adjustment was made to reduce vehicle speeds making the right turn onto Church St. and create a more pedestrian friendly environment.

The project is forecast to come in under its $1.4 million budget, of which $605,000 came from the federal government.

Once complete, the City will place traffic counters in the area to get a better idea of the usage in the area under the new layout.

The new bike lanes tie into the City’s active transportation vision and will eventually connect with other main corridors linking the downtown to VIU, Departure Bay and other parts of Nanaimo.

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