Nanaimo’s E&N Trail extending further south into Chase River

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Bluesky
• Share on X
• Copy Link

The motion was unanimously approved by council, with construction expected to be complete this year.

active transportation

Nanaimo's E&N Trail extending further south into Chase River

2h ago

making gains

While still high, Nanaimo's unemployment rate drops again

19h ago

Track Stars

Nanaimo Track and Field Club athletes bring home medals from major summer events

21h ago

A look at the proposed E&N Trail additions, expected to be complete by the end of the year. (Image Credit: City of Nanaimo)

Approximately 900 metres’ worth of recreational trail would be built along the east side of the rail lines, connecting Southgate to Chase River, bringing the total length of the trail to 9.9 kilometres, and is near city-owned land planned to be the future home of a south end community centre.

Rail crossings would also be installed connecting both Junction Ave. and Thirteenth St. to the Parkway Trail.

When asked if this is taking funding away from building new sidewalks, transportation manager Jamie Rose said the money is from the unallocated budget.

“I don’t think we’re ever going to catch up to the (sidewalk) demand. But this is an opportunity that’s in front of us that we kind of need to strike while the iron’s hot and acknowledge that we do have more money available to address some of those items that will be brought forward.”

$361,000 of the funding comes from the 2026 Active Transportation Unallocated Budget, with the remaining $189,000 taken from other budgeted E&N Trail initiatives.

Rose said whenever possible, the City works with a developer to include infrastructure like sidewalks and active transportation networks in their developments.

He said while this can create some “fragmented pieces” of bike lanes next to new developments, it reduces costs for taxpayers, with the long-term goal of having them all connected citywide.

“There are times when we can partner with developers to create more continuity. Wallace Street is an example of what we’ve done recently to get all the way from Comox (Rd.) down to Fitzwilliam (St.) with two other partnerships with developers. But yeah, if the city were to bear the full costs, it’s quite substantial.”

The E&N Trail was expanded last year by about 734 metres, connecting Columbia St. to Bing Kee St. and down to Seventh St., for $148,000, with this latest work improving the active transportation network from one end of Nanaimo to the other.

Cyclists will soon be able to continue their journey from Junction Ave. and Seventh St. down to Extension Rd., with a rail crossing being built connecting this area with the Parkway Trail. (Image Credit: 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