An active transportation advocate will receive a progress report on three City of Powell River projects he enquired about.
At the August 17 city council meeting, councillors reviewed correspondence from Chris Morwood regarding an update on active transportation projects that have been approved by city councillors. The projects Morwood was enquiring about included the Manson Avenue/Duncan Street intersection, the Powell River Recreation Complex to Brooks Secondary School connector path (mid-level connector) and the Maple Street corridor improvements.
City councillor Trina Isakson asked if there were any quick answers staff could provide about any of the outlined projects.
Director of planning services Jason Gow said regarding the mid-level connector, the city has awarded the design of construction drawings to a consultant.
“Hopefully, we’ll have those back in the near future and it will go out to tender for construction of that path, so it’s well underway,” said Gow. “The Manson and Duncan intersection is waiting for a few last pieces. Our staff have engaged our colleagues in engineering to see what’s happening there, but we understand it is on their plate – it’s just a matter of getting to it.”
Gow said with the Maple Avenue/Sycamore Street project, the city is going to tender for construction management and that will be a process where the city awards a contract to a consultant who will manage the construction and process of tendering for construction of the infrastructure.
Isakson asked if there was a sense of timeline for the mid-level connector and when it might be open. Gow said the city is getting the consultant onboard to do the design.
“It’s taken longer than we wanted,” said Gow. “We want it up and running as quickly as possible. We are talking months. Part of it will be what construction can happen through the weather season.”
Councillor Jim Palm asked about the archaeological implications of the mid-level connector. Gow said the assessment came back, so the process has been underway.
Councillor Rob Southcott asked about a traffic study of Joyce Avenue and having some possible modifications that would accommodate cycling and active transportation in general. Gow said there has been a traffic study but there is still work to be completed.
Southcott then asked about Marine Avenue, which is another active transportation concern. He asked about a grant for modifications in the Base Camp area.
Gow said the city was granted funds for curb extensions in and around the RE/MAX and Base Camp area.The project went to tender and there were not sufficient funds to accommodate the one bid, he added.
“We are retendering with the hope of attracting more bidders,” said Gow.
Councillor Cindy Elliott moved to receive the letter and direct staff to respond to Morwood with the information he was requesting. The motion passed unanimously.
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