Plans are underway to extend the E&N Trail deeper into south Nanaimo. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

more paths

‘Highly used:’ popular E&N Trail being expanded into south Nanaimo

Jul 21, 2025 | 5:32 AM

NANAIMO — An expansion to the E&N Trail is moving forward, adding more trail connections to the southern part of the city.

Councillors unanimously supported the proposed extension, from Columbia St., to Bing Kee St. and down to Seventh St. at a cost of $148,000 on Wednesday, July 16.

This would expand the trail by a total of 734 metres, in an area the City says is heavily used by pedestrians, including children heading to area schools.

The popular eight-kilometre paved walking and biking trail, which runs parallel to the E&N railway, is located on land owned by the Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) and managed by the City.

Plans are in the works to extend the E&N Trail to Seventh St. in south Nanaimo. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

On the Lake

Training, fundraising take precedence in winter months for Nanaimo Rowing Club

5h ago

clean-up

Locals plan to remove shoreline hazard in Qualicum Beach

Dec 13, 2025

Wings Clipped

Seguin-Lescarbeau and Rimmer lead Clippers to Teddy Bear Toss win

Dec 13, 2025

The City would once again work with the ICF and Southern Rail for this soft-surface trail connection extension, with the option to upgrade it to an asphalt surface in the future.

Coun. Ben Geselbracht said the completed sections of the trail are a great example of partnerships between different community agencies united in a common goal.

“Putting in a trail that’s gotten kids off of the active rail line and off to the side, and it’s become very highly used, and also has been completed at a fraction of the cost of what the initial project that was a paved route put it, so this is a win on all fronts.”

Work on this expansion could be completed by the winter, according to the City, with final approval still required at a future regular council meeting.

Funding would be provided through the strategic infrastructure reserve fund.

A 465-metre soft-surface trail connection between Fifth St. at Princess St., to Columbia St. was completed in April at a total cost of $40,000.

Part of the recently completed soft-surface E&N Trail at Princess St. and Fifth St. in south Nanaimo. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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