Darren Altmayer
newsroom@nsnews.com
published on 06/29/2007: North Shore News
DISTRICT of West Vancouver council has formally approved the municipality’s participation in a North-Shore-wide recreational trail plan. The Spirit Trail Greenway, funded largely by the province is “the spine of the plan,” said Richard Drdul of Urban Systems, who spoke to council on Monday. “It is the only continuous, flat, traffic-free route between North Vancouver and Horseshoe Bay. For that reason it has a lot of reasons to attract people, cyclists and pedestrians,” he explained.
In April, the province announced it would spend $3.7 million on the Spirit Trail Greenway, divided between the three North Shore municipalities. West Vancouver will receive $2 million as its share of the funding in the plan.
Total costs for all sections of the Greenway could reach $10 million and building them all could take as long as 20 years, explained Drdul. He suggested at least half of all costs could be paid for through grants from provincial and federal funds, as well as cycling groups and donors. Chief administrative officer David Stuart added that two-thirds of the costs could be financed by sources outside of district funds. West Vancouver will commit $375,000 this year to start the project.
Three sections of bike paths will need to be built alongside the railway tracks, Drdul said. Eagle Harbour, an area east of Caulfeild, an area west of 31st Street, and parts of Ambleside will follow alongside rail lines. “There are parts of the Greenway that will have to be within the CN right-of-way because we really do not have any other options,” he said.
Kelowna and Nanaimo already have such trails fenced alongside railways, he explained, and Vancouver and Burnaby will soon as well.
“We want to get more people cycling, and more people walking. But we also want to make sure those that are cycling and walking are safer,” said Drdul.
Building the Ambleside and Dundarave sections of the Spirit Trail Greenway will likely be first priority, then the Horseshoe Bay to Eagleridge sections.
But how some connections will be built remains undecided, such as how to cross the Capilano River. At least four options are being considered for that section.
Design and construction may begin as early as this year, Brent Dozzi, district manager of roads and transportation, explained.
Council approved the project in principal so applications to other governments can continue, but final dollar commitments from the municipality are yet to be set.
West Vancouver councillors were celebratory in their support.
“As far as I am concerned this can’t be built fast enough. I think this is absolutely wonderful,” said Coun. Jean Ferguson.
“People will use this if they feel safe,” added Coun. Bill Soprovich, in support.
