The development of the Carrothers Road Trail in Coombs is expected to happen this year.
Landowners that will be affected by the development are being notified by the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) that work in Electoral Area F may start within the next two months.
The RDN at present is going through the responses to the request for proposals it has issued for the project.
The planned 390-metre trail will run along the undeveloped stretch of Carrothers Road between Leffler and Braddock roads. It will not be open to motorized vehicles such as ATVs and dirt bikes.
The RDN has already been granted a permit by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to construct a 1.8-metre wide gravel trail with ATV barriers.
The total estimated cost of the project will be determined following the selection of the successful bidder for the project, which will be financed through local community park taxes and Community Works Funds.
The idea to develop trails situated on undeveloped stretches of public road in the area was initiated in 2000 by the RDN and the community of Electoral Area F.
The objective is to create a system of trails on low-traffic road routes that will help walkers, cyclists and equestrians get around without having to deal with busy roads such as Errington and Grafton roads.
In 2010, the Arrowsmith Community Trail (ACT) project was introduced to the public at an open house at the Errington Hall. It was well-supported and, in 2012, the first ACT trail was completed: the Errington School Trail linking Middlegate and Kopernick roads with Errington Elementary School. In 2015/2016 the Price Road trail and the Cranswick Road trail were completed.
The ACT project is overseen by the Area F Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee (POSAC), which meets quarterly and advises the Area F Director on community park and trail matters in the electoral area.