More work to enhance the waterfront along Hwy. 19A in Qualicum Beach is underway starting Monday, March 24, with this phase including improved parking and safer conditions for cyclists and pedestrians. (Town of Qualicum Beach)

By Jordan Davidson

waterfront expansion

‘Gets better and better:’ Qualicum Beach waterfront expansion project starts next phase

Mar 24, 2025 | 4:20 PM

QUALICUM BEACH — The next phase of the Waterfront Enhancement Project started Monday, with work being done to make the waterfront safer and more easily accessible.

Construction crews arrived Monday, March 24 along Hwy. 19A, and will be creating additional parking spots and a multi-purpose lane for a safer transportation corridor.

Director of community planning Luke Sales said this is part of the Town’s ongoing work to enhance the waterfront with user safety in mind regardless of how they get there.

“Anyone who’s been to the waterfront in the past knows that people used to just pull off the road, kind of slightly in the ditch and slightly blocking the road’s shoulder. For cyclists, you’d have to ride out on to the road to get around the cars, and for people parking in those areas, you would step out of your car and sometimes straight into the ditch.”

Vehicles parking on the side of the road near the waterfront can be hazardous to both drivers and pedestrians, while narrowing lanes for cyclists. (Town of Qualicum Beach)

supportive housing

Expansion proposed for south Nanaimo temporary housing project

2h ago

National Event

VIU to host 2026 CCAA men's basketball championship

5h ago

travel option

BC Ferries adding daily Tsawwassen-Departure Bay sailing, starting mid-June

9h ago

Work on expanding parking options and making the waterfront more walking and riding friendly have been in the works for a number of years.

A highly anticipated walkway/viewing platform adjacent to the Memorial Ave/Hwy. 19A roundabout was officially opened in October.

Sales said this phase of the project involves infilling the ditch in key areas so vehicles can safely pull off the road to park.

“At the same time creating a multi-purpose lane so people can walk on it, or people can ride safely down it without risk of getting hit by a car or interfering with people getting out of their cars. It’s kind of a multipurpose project, but it’s creating more room on the roadway for multiple users.”

Work is expected to be completed by this summer, and is expected to have minimal impact on the public, save for occasional traffic control during certain phases of construction.

Sales said the waterfront will still be fully operational and usable during this period, with no major shutdowns planned.

“This is just incremental improvements to our waterfront, just chipping away at it. It’s such a big project, so if we can make little improvements every year, or as resources are available, the waterfront just gets better and better.”

The total cost of the project is $737,000, with $500,000 paid for through the BC Active Transportation Infrastructure program, and the Town covering the remainder.

More information on the waterfront expansion project can be found here on the Town of Qualicum Beach’s website.

An overview of the current parking expansion project overlayed with work done in 2024. (Town of Qualicum Beach)

Local news. Delivered. Free. Subscribe to our daily news wrap and get our top local stories delivered to your email inbox every evening.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook