Nanaimo council approves upgrades for much-maligned intersection
NANAIMO — City Council wants to vastly overhaul one of Nanaimo’s worst intersections, however it’s not clear when upgrades are coming or how much they’ll cost.
After deciding to defer dealing with the troublesome Northfield Rd., Boundary Ave., Island Hwy. intersection one year ago, council voted Monday night to move ahead with improvements.
Roughly half of the City’s overall estimated bill for the project is related to rail crossing upgrades, according to a staff report. The City is required to complete upgrades to the rail crossing to bring it into complaince with current regulations.
Several councillors voiced concerns over those costs given the uncertain future of passenger rail. The motion to move ahead with the work passed by a 5-3 vote, with councillors Kipp, Fuller and Bestwick opposed.