Walkers, hikers and cyclists can now take the Humpback Connector between Victoria and the West Shore.
The full name for the newly minted trail is the E&N Rail Trail-Humpback Connector. The name was chosen through a contest run by Capital Regional District Parks and CFAX radio.
“A public jury has unanimously recommended the E&N Rail Trail-Humpback Connector for the regional trail,’” said Geoff Young, chair of the CRD board. “We appreciate the jury’s efforts and insight that went into their selection.”
More than 200 entries were submitted.
“Congratulations to Nancy Chiu of Victoria for her winning entry for the CRD section. I also want to thank the jury members and all who entered the contest,” said Christopher Causton, chair of the CRD regional parks committee, who sat on the jury. “This next regional trail will be an important multi-use commuter link. With construction of the trail underway, this is an opportune time to create awareness, enthusiasm and support for it.”
The CRD is one of several regional districts on the Island in which trails will be built within the E&N railway corridor running from Victoria to Courtenay. It was the jury’s vision to connect them with the singular name E&N Rail Trail. It also recommended that as the trail system expands, communities be encouraged to select names for their own sections.
The E&N Rail Trail-Humpback Connector is a commuter cycling and recreation trail that is being built largely within the rail corridor in Victoria, Esquimalt, View Royal and Langford. Phase one is underway, consisting of a 14.3-kilometre contiguous route from Esquimalt Road in Victoria to Jacklin Road in Langford. It is slated for completion in 2012. Future phases will see the trail stretch from the Johnson Street Bridge in Victoria to Humpback Road in Langford. The first rail-with-trail in the region, it will form a key part of the trail network managed by the CRD, which includes the popular Galloping Goose and Lochside regional trails.
