In 2020/21 the City of Kimberley, along with consultants, developed an active transportation network plan to improve walking, cycling and other modes of active transportation in the community.
Active transportation involves all human-powered forms of travel, such as walking, cycling, in-line skating, snowshoeing, skiing and more.
The city has been successful in obtaining several grants which led to active transpiration projects near Lindsay and Marysville Elementary schools. Vision Zero Grants to support pedestrian safety improvements on Gerry Sorensen Way were also received, and this spring there will be improvements along Rotary Drive.
Now the city is announcing that it has received a third grant from the BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant program, which will fund construction of a multi-use pathway along Knighton Road.
“We are proud to receive an Active Transport grant from the Province for the third year in a row. These grants support important connections that were outlined as priorities in the City’s Active Transportation Network Plan,” said City CAO Jim Hendricks in a press release. “We will continue to prioritize projects listed in that plan and look forward to completing even more safety improvements throughout the City in the coming years.”
One of the more frequent comments when the city sought input into the ATNP was that of safety and lack of sidewalks.
The new pathway on Knighton Road will link 103 and 106 Avenue providing a safe and convenient route for walking, running and cycling. The province funds 70 per cent of the project, $252,994 of total costs. The remaining funding comes from city reserve funds.
Construction will begin in late spring and coincide with a realignment of Knighton Road. The work will require some road closures and detours and the public will be kept informed when those occur.
City of Kimberley seeks final input on Active Transport Plan
Province asks for public input to make communities more walkable, bike friendly