Surveying and marking of the route that would link Big Qualicum River Trail and Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District Trail is expected to be completed by the fall of 2019.
The undeveloped public right-of-way was identified with the assistance of the Horne Lake Strata and geological engineering study in 2017-18.
The project was initiated in the early 2000 with the rezoning of lands around Horne Lake and Regional District of Nanaimo’s commitment to the Qualicum First Nation to proserve and celebrate the historical cross-island passage through the regional trail. The Horne Lake Strata also agreed to provide land access for regional trail across the north shore of the lake.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Ministry of Transporation and Infrastructure, Horne Lake Strata members, Qualicum First Nations, the ACRD and the City of Port Alberni were handed project briefs.
The official planning and design cost of the project, as well as land use agreement with the Strata are planned to be developed next year. Construction is to take place in 2020.
Parks Services will work with the ACRD and First Nations on both sides of the island on the heritage passage component of the regional trail project and identification of a First Nation’s name for the overall initiative.
— NEWS Staff