City of Courtenay Annual Report 2022

PLAN AND IN INVEST IN MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION

17th Street Corridor Improvements Improvements on 17th Street between Fitzgerald and Willemar Avenues have made this key link in the Comox Valley’s active transportation network safer and more accessible for people who walk, cycle, and roll. This project was almost entirely funded by a $1.376 million contribution from the Government of Canada and $344,000 from the Province of British Columbia through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. Upgrades through the 17th Street Corridor Improvement project completed in 2021 and 2022 include: • New sidewalks from Rotary Trail to Fitzgerald Avenue • Curb-protected cycle tracks from Rotary Trail to Fitzgerald Avenue • Painted, parking-protected bike lanes from Willemar Avenue to Rotary Trail • New trees planted on 17th Street at McPhee Avenue The 17th Street Corridor Improvement Project helps connect the Rotary Trail and the Fitzgerald Avenue and 19th Street bike lanes leading to the Courtenay Riverway, building the active transportation network in west Courtenay. With active travel options encouraging healthy lifestyles, the project was endorsed by School District No. 71, and benefits students, parents, and teachers traveling to Courtenay Elementary and connecting to other local pathways. As 17th Street is an arterial transportation route, separating bikes and pedestrians from vehicles is especially important. Design considerations included the needs of all modes of transportation using the corridor, including emergency and farm vehicles. Improving connections for people who walk, cycle, and roll has been a strategic priority for the City of Courtenay for many years. The Connecting Courtenay: Transportation Master Plan and Cycling Network Plan, adopted in 2019 following comprehensive input from community partners and the public, identified a number of gaps in the existing cycling network, including 17th Street. • Shorter road crossing distances for pedestrians • New pedestrian-controlled flashing beacons • On-street parking maintained

CYCLING NETWORK UPGRADES

Year

2019

2020

2021

2022

Total

2.1 km 2.3 km 2.7 km

Neighbourhood bikeway

2.1 km

Painted bike lane

1.8 km 0.5 km

Painted bike lane with buffer

1.1 km 0.4 km

0.5 km 1.1 km

2.9 km Grand Total: 10 km

Protected bike lane

2 km

0.5 km

45

City of Courtenay | 2022 Annual Report