Additional roadside parking, along with room for pedestrians and cyclists, are coming to the ditch side of Hwy. 19 near Memorial Ave. to link up to similar enhancements done last year. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

funding boost

Latest grant bolsters waterfront overhaul in Qualicum Beach

Apr 11, 2024 | 5:26 AM

QUALICUM BEACH — Ongoing significant enhancements to the popular waterfront area in Qualicum Beach received a boost.

The province announced $500,000 from the BC Active Transportation Infrastructure program is being designated toward parking and active transportation features on the ditch side of Hwy. 19.

The Town’s director of planning Luke Sales said the funding builds on work done last year to create more parking spaces and room for cyclists and pedestrians on the ditch side of Hwy. 19.

“When we were planning for that project we identified a number of different parts of the waterfront where we could convert that ditch space to real parking spaces, unfortunately we just didn’t have enough money to undertake the full extent of that project,” Sales told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Areas shaded in purple will be addressed this year to establish more parking/active transportation amenities. (Town of Qualicum Beach)

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Sales estimates about 700 meters of roadside parallel parking and non vehicular infrastructure will be created when the project is finished this fall, with work starting in the late summer.

The total anticipated cost of the project is $878,000, reducing the Town’s expected portion to about $378,000.

Sales said reviews of the added parking have been positive.

“It’s really nice not to step out of your car and step directly into a ditch, which is the default condition that existed for many years.”

Meanwhile, work is advancing toward completion of the waterfront walkway/viewpoint project at the roundabout at the base of Memorial Ave. at Hwy. 19.

Sales expects the project will be complete and the amenity open next month, ahead of the busy tourism season.

He said a complicated stainless steel handrail system is the last significant portion of the project on their contractor’s to-do list.

“It’s not a simple shape and it’s not a simple material, so they’re being fabricated off-site and will be brought in when its done,” Sales said.

Senior government grants of about $2 million are covering a majority of the costs for the Beach Creek viewing platform and walkway project.

Work continues on the waterfront walkway/viewpoint project adjacent to the roundabout on Hwy. 19 at the base of Memorial Ave. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes