A Lakeshore Drive couple is putting together a petition regarding a walkway along the busy road.
Marius Krukowski and his spouse Grace have written a letter to city council, saying they have noticed “a large and constant amount of pedestrian traffic on this narrow and winding road every day.”
In their letter they proposed an extension to the existing raised walkway between Heron View and the Prestige Harbourfront Resort along the foreshore.
“We could use the available space between Lakeshore Drive and the CPR tracks to construct a wide walkway in a boardwalk style with greenery, Victorian inspired street lamps and seating fixtures, and scenic viewing areas of the lake and bird sanctuary.”
They suggest that the proposed extension of the existing walkway with a crossing/overpass connecting the existing structure to the new raised walkway – which would run alongside Lakeshore Drive up to 23rd Avenue NE – would be one option, or, “going to 1360 Lakeshore Drive and using the (purchased by the city) strip of land alongside the street from 1360 Lakeshore Drive to 23rd Avenue NE to build a pathway, paved and in the same style as described above, is yet another solution.”
Krukowski said either walkway, if the city finds the money, “would be beautiful,” giving people access to the wharf and all amenities on that side of Lakeshore.
“If we wait any longer, costs will be rising because of inflation and everything,” he said.
Dale McTaggart, the city’s director of engineering and public works, said that before any cost estimates are done on the proposal, it would be necessary to do geotechnical and structural engineering studies to see if it’s feasible.
“That bank has moved over time; that’s why the sheet piling was put in.”
He said the cost of a supported walkway along Lakeshore Road would be very expensive.
Driving piles, he said, is almost like building a foreshore boardwalk. The other idea of a pedestrian overpass has been considered, he said, but it would cost “$600,000 to 800,000 as well. They’re both very expensive projects. Unless we get some revenue sharing, it would impact taxes.”
McTaggart said he sent a letter back to the Krukowskis putting in “ballpark numbers” so that people don’t sign a petition without knowing what the proposals would cost.
“They’re looking at a huge tax increase.”
The petition can be accessed at http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/support-the-walkway-extension-along-lakeshore-drive.html.