Future site of an off-street downtown Nanaimo bus exchange. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

transit exchange

Senior government funds set aside for downtown Nanaimo transit exchange

Sep 18, 2023 | 3:26 PM

NANAIMO — More than $15 million will support an off-street transit exchange on Terminal Ave. at Commercial St.

The federal government announced it and the province are splitting about $12 million, while the Regional District of Nanaimo’s contribution is a little over $3 million for the project. The City of Nanaimo are providing land for work to proceed.

To be located on Shaw Lane, the transit exchange will also include an operator rest facility and layover parking on nearby Cavan St.

“…this facility will include washroom and break room facilities, bus layover parking and upgrades to allow safe access, and use of the site is designed to provide improved operator working conditions,” stated a news release from Infrastructure Canada.

In a statement to NanaimoNewsNOW, the City’s gm of engineering and public works anticipated construction-ready drawings would be ready this fall with construction starting in the third quarter of next year.

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“Next steps are to develop the overall project plan, alongside BC Transit and RDN. This will lead to firmer timelines,” Sims stated, who noted construction timelines are subject to refinements as the project develops.

Terminal Ave. is undergoing the first of a multi-phase project to modernize the area with enhancements to underground and above-ground infrastructure, which includes creating a safer environment for pedestrians.

The idea of a transit exchange at the Terminal Ave. location has been viewed critically by some merchants in the immediate area who are concerned about high levels of crime and the loss of existing parking in the Shaw Lane area.

The federal government noted the transit exchange would be built to an industry-standard “that reduces the risk and fear of crime by design, policy, and shaping public spaces.”

Establishing a transit exchange in downtown Nanaimo has been in the works for quite some time. The City bought three area lots in 2021 with an aim of re-located a major transit hub in the downtown core.

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