This section of ditch on Hwy. 19A just north of the Memorial Ave. roundabout will be infilled to create additional parking, cycling and pedestrian space. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

waterfront enhancements

‘It’s going to make a huge improvement:’ crews expand parking on Qualicum Beach’s waterfront

Feb 22, 2023 | 9:16 AM

QUALICUM BEACH — Increasing parking on the prized waterfront in Qualicum Beach will be achieved following ongoing work to extend the shoulder of Hwy. 19A.

Last week contractors started infilling the ditch on the non-waterfront side of the highway in three sections between the Bay St. area to north of the roundabout at Memorial Ave.

The Town’s director of planning Luke Sales estimated about 60 parallel parking spots will be created.

“Right now there simply isn’t enough safe and usable parking on the waterfront,” Sales said.

Crews are installing storm pipes in the ditch and numerous catch basins, amounting to more than 400 metres of highway.

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The extended highway shoulder will be paved, while no individual parking stalls will be painted, Sales noted.

There’s more to the project than simply creating space for more vehicles to park, Sales said.

“…and there will be a usable shared shoulder for cyclists and also pedestrians to use. It’s going to make a huge improvement for cyclists, pedestrians and vehicular usage on the waterfront.”

The green shaded sections represent future off-street parking where a ditch currently exists on Hwy. 19 along the waterfront in Qualicum Beach. (Town of Qualicum Beach)

Single-lane alternating traffic is in place while the work proceeds, which the Town expects will be complete this spring.

Dozens of parking spots on the waterfront side of Hwy. 19A in Qualicum Beach are often claimed in the busy summer peak season.

The project was funded through a $700,000 provincial grant to assist tourism-dependent communities during the pandemic.

Other planned projects as part of the funding to enhance Qualicum Beach’s waterfront are establishing servicing kiosks for food vendors and traffic calming initiatives.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes