By Spencer Sterritt

New Harewood pathway and bridge on hold over concern for three trees

Mar 27, 2018 | 3:30 PM

NANAIMO — A significant project through the Harewood neighbourhood is now on hold after strong opposition from the community.

The Georgia Greenway project, which includes a new 3.1 kilometre multi-use path and a new bridge over the Chase River to increase accessibility in the area, was referred back to staff by City Councillors Monday night.

The key issue was sacrificing three trees along the banks of the Chase River for a four-metre wide bridge. Many upset neighbours brought their concerns to the City’s attention last week and then to Council on Monday.

“If the neighbourhood isn’t happy…let’s consult with them and get it right,” coun. Jerry Hong said about the project.

Many councillors supported the idea of a narrower bridge, which wouldn’t provide as much space to cyclists and pedestrians but would avoid removing the trees.

ride share rollout

Uber preparing for 'early 2025' launch in Nanaimo & rest of B.C.

4h ago

Playoff Time

Barsby Bulldogs hit the road for AA varsity quarterfinal game

23m ago

Appeal denied

Fishermen fails to get fine cut for damaging Sunshine Coast violations

18h ago

“I think cyclists will understand if we say we made this bridge a little bit narrow to save these trees,” Hong said.

Engineering and public works director Bill Sims said the City previously halted work on the project and re-evaluated in early 2017 when they realized it would impact the elderly trees.

“I think we’ve all had the same reaction of ‘Wait a minute, why are we attacking these big trees,’” he told councillors.

Sims said the option they went with did the most damage to the trees but the least damage in other areas of concern, such as the impact to user safety and existing fish habitats.

It was also within the existing budget with a price tag of $450,000.

Sims said the alternate option of building the bridge over an existing storm drain beside the trees would cost nearly $700,000 and angling the bridge away from the trees would still come in around $630,000.

The first phase of the Georgia Greenway project, including the path and bridge, was slated to cost $900,000.

Before they made their decision, Sims told councillors any delay in the project could have serious consequences to their timeline.

“A significant delay of more than a few weeks would potentially push us off being able to complete the project this year. It’s a gamble to delay things any longer.”

When asked, Sims said he couldn’t provide a cost or anticipated completion date of a new bridge design.

After council voted 6-2 in favour of referring the design back to staff, the tender to remove the trees was cancelled.

The project was listed by Nanaimo councillors as a strategic priority back in the summer of 2016.

This was the first time the width of the bridge was raised as a serious issue after public consultation in 2017.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit