Current view of a new multi-purpose pedestrian pathway serving the busiest portion of Gabriola Island. The RDN expects the delayed project will be complete by this summer. (RDN)

By Ian Holmes

Pedestrian infrastructure

Gabriola Island pedestrian path praised, revised completion delayed several months

Feb 13, 2021 | 7:46 AM

GABRIOLA ISLAND — A new multi-use pedestrian path serving Gabriola Island’s commercial core is already improving public safety despite not being completed yet.

The RDN expects the 1.5 kilometre Village Way Path project involving a two metre wide roadside trail along North Rd. between the South Rd. junction and Tin Can Alley to be complete by this summer.

Gabriola Island’s RDN director Vanessa Craig said the project’s footprint is in place with temporary fencing erected before permanent railing is installed on the North side of North Rd.

Craig told NanaimoNewsNOW the new path is a big upgrade on what existed previously.

“There was no safe pathway alongside the road, people were literally walking on the road to move along there,” Craig said. “It didn’t actually encourage people walking, it just didn’t have that welcoming feel.”

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Widening the road’s shoulder and several concrete retaining walls supported the new trail alignment, according to the RDN.

Paving for the path will be done in front of businesses , while most of the new corridor will be served by graded and packed gravel.

“Once the project is completed there will be an extra separation between the roadway and the walking path, which will make it even more safe for pedestrians and I think encourage even more use,” Craig said, who noted the regularly used path has been open for several weeks.

The new infrastructure was originally expected to be completed last fall, however the RDN cited weather conditions and paving material availability challenges faced by their contractor as reasons for the paused project.

Funding for the $1.2 million Village Way Path project is provided by Gabriola Island’s share of federal gas tax revenue.

The RDN will manage and maintain the new path falling under ministry of transportation and infrastructure control.

Roadside amenities for non-vehicular traffic is scarce on Gabriola Island home to 4,000 people.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes