The Regional District of Nanaimo board endorsed a plan to develop a trail that would link the Top Bridge trail to the Coombs to Parksville rail trail in Springwood Park.
The board, at its regular meeting on April 8, passed staff recommendations to receive the E and N Rail Top Bridge Crossing to Despard Avenue in Parksville Project report and that funds be retained in the 2025-2029 financial plan to allow the initiative to proceed.
Electoral Area F (Coombs, Hilliers, Errington, Whiskey Creek, Meadowood) director Leanne Salter, Area G (French Creek, San Pareil, Little Qualicum, Englishman River) director Lehann Wallace and Nanaimo director Sheryl Armstrong were opposed.
The project will be part of a regional trail. The goal is to create a safer path, said Tom Osborne, general manger of recreation and parks, as it follows the E and N railroad line from Top Bridge Park and crosses the Alberni Highway to connect to Despard Avenue and then to Springwood Park.
"It's a very busy intersection which is four to five lanes," said Osborne.
The project will funded through the RDN's Growing Community Funds with $75,000 for planning and public engagement in 2025. For construction, $188,163 will be drawn from Growing Community Funds in 2026 and $500,000 from reserves.
Wallace was against allocating funds for the project.
"I think that the $500,000 with the reserves could be used to help mitigate financial plan items elsewhere," said Wallace. "I think there's already a trail there now.
Parksville director and Mayor Doug O'Brien said the trail package is very important to the residents of the City of Parksville.
"I have heard nothing but great comments once the people have understood now where this trail is going to be located," said O'Brien. "And providing a safe access across Despard and Alberni Highway is very important to them because they're already using the Coombs trail through to Springwood."
The actual cost of the project will be determined once the engineering design has been considered and vetted through a community engagement process.
Osborne said they will have to work with Ministry of Transport and Transit, the Island Corridor Foundation and City of Parksville to ensure the design meets their needs.
