Building in phases would help get major project going

The decision to start development on half of the E&N Rail Trail is bittersweet, says the Capital Regional District parks committee chair.

The province handed the CRD $11 million of the region’s requested $20 million for the trail, which will eventually connect downtown Victoria to the West Shore.

Although receiving the funding is a positive, the shortfall means the CRD will be forced to phase in the project, said committee chair Christopher Causton.

The committee voted recently to recommend trail construction from Esquimalt to Langford.

“It is just frustrating that we don’t have enough money to complete it when everybody is looking for stimulus projects,” Causton said.

To stretch every penny, the trail will be gravel rather than paved. That will save $950,000 in the first phase of the project.

Sections of the trail will also connect to the Galloping Goose Trail and use bike lanes on roads.

“This is such a great project and it is relatively inexpensive for the amount of people that will use it,” Causton said.

Esquimalt Mayor Barbara Desjardins is pleased that the project, if approved by the full CRD board, would begin in her municipality. However, she noted that the inclusion of bike lanes in the updated trail design – due to the funding shortfall – makes the trail less pedestrian-friendly than when it was originally designed.

The parks committee’s recommendation will go to the CRD board this month for approval.

Tenders for trail and bridge construction would follow. Causton said he hopes to see shovels hit the dirt by September.

editor@oakbaynews.com