Construction of an aluminum truss bridge in the Myrtle Creek area has been approved by qathet Regional District (qRD).
At the Wednesday, September 18, regional board meeting, directors voted to build the bridge as part of the permanent infrastructure of the Centennial Drive to Bradford Road recreation trail network. The board also voted that the costs be funded through the regional parks/land improvements budget and that the board direct staff to apply for available grant money to fund the construction of the trail between Centennial Drive and Butler Road.
Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne thanked staff for working on this project. He said it was the completion of the Padgett Road bike path.
According to a staff report, since 2013, qRD has been working with the provincial ministry of transportation and infrastructure (MOTI) on a five-phase plan to widen Padgett Road 1.5 metres from Duncan Street to the Centennial intersection to include a bike path. The project was funded through the Community Works Fund and MOTI. The last phase was completed in 2018.
The staff report states the bridge would be part of the system hooking Padgett Road/Centennial Drive to Butler Road and Highway 101, and would provide a safe crossing of Myrtle Creek for pedestrians and bikers.
