The City of Nanaimo will receive half a million dollars from the province to help with the completion of its Metral Drive ‘complete streets’ project.
The provincial government announced Friday, Sept. 17, the most recently awarded active transportation infrastructure grants, including $500,000 for Nanaimo’s Metral Drive and $441,000 for a multi-use path at Snaw-Naw-As First Nation.
The money for the City of Nanaimo will be spent on Phase 2 of the Metral project, which includes 1.7 kilometres of sidewalks, protected bike lanes, raised intersections, curb extensions and crosswalk improvements, according to a press release from the B.C. NDP caucus. The city also received a $500,000 grant from the province last year for Phase 1 of the project.
READ ALSO: City of Nanaimo granted $500,000 toward Metral Drive work
“Investing in active transportation infrastructure leads to happier and healthier lifestyles and more livable communities,” said Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo, in the release.
The Snaw-Naw-As trail project is a 450-metre multi-use pathway to and from the market and there are plans for future trail connections.
The province said it is directing $36 million over the next three years through the grant program including $13.7 million in 2021.
Bowinn Ma, B.C.’s minister of state for infrastructure, said climate action needs to include infrastructure investments that enable people to choose “environmentally friendly” modes of travel.
“These safe transportation options protect the environment, connect communities and are key to B.C.’s recovery plan and our commitment to climate action,” she said.
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