A walking and cycling pathway extension linking the Sun River neighbourhood and Sooke’s town core will be “a game-changer” for travelling around the area, Sooke Mayor Maja Tait said Monday in an announcement about funding for the work.
She said students from École Poirier Elementary and Journey Middle School who live in the Sun River area will have direct access to their schools via walking or cycling using an extended Little River Multi-Use Trail, replacing the current route of over four kilometres of road generally travelled by car or bus.
The work will add about three-quarters of a kilometre of trail and include a bridge over Little River, also known as De Mamiel Creek.
A separate project on Sooke’s Charters Road is bringing more sidewalks, bike lanes, improved crossings and boulevard enhancements to the key thoroughfare, while discussions are underway with the Pacheedaht First Nation on active-transportation plans in their jurisdiction.
Both projects have received $500,000 through the provincial Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants program, and the trail initiative is also getting $1.3 million in federal funding.
“This funding and these improvements will not only enhance connectivity but also promote safety and accessibility for our community,” Tait said.
The projects are among 80 around B.C. that have been designated for a total of $24 million in funding.
The president of École Poirier Elementary’s Parent Advisory Council said the improvement to the Little River trail holds “immense promise” for the school community.
“As parents we understand the daily struggle of navigating traffic congestion, especially during school drop-off and pick-up off times within our growing community of Sooke,” said Jen Temple. “The Little River crossing can alleviate this burden for some families, allowing their children to reach school safely and promptly, and easing the stress on parents rushing to work.”
Maja said the trail extension will improve access to shops and restaurants for people in the Sun River area.
Going the other way on the trail, people can make their way directly to the Sun River allotment gardens, the Sooke River and many other sites.
Minister of State for Infrastructure and Transit Dan Coulter said provincial support for such projects “means communities can think bigger when tackling transportation challenges and providing more options for people to get around.”
“People are choosing to walk, run and cycle more each year.”
Langford-Juan de Fuca MLA Ravi Parmar said promoting active transportation isn’t just about more roads and paths “it’s about fostering safer, healthier and more convenient lifestyles for all.”
The Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants program supports Indigenous, local and regional governments.
Other Capital Regional District projects receiving funding include widening and additional lighting on the Galloping Goose Regional Trail, intersection improvement at Wale and Wilfert roads, and bike lanes/pedestrian-use upgrades on Gorge Road.
