Re: “$6M loan urged to speed up rail trail,” Oct. 20.
Kudos to the Capital Regional District parks committee for having the foresight to invest in other forms of transportation. It is important that sections of the pedestrian and cycling network in the capital region get rolled out in a timely manner. That is the only way to make an impact in the continuous need for more transportation and recreation options.
If the CRD can negotiate the same terms as we are applying on the section of E&N trail in the Regional District of Nanaimo, it would be able to reduce that amount of the loan substantially. The Parksville-to-Coombs section of the trail is built for current conditions where the rail line is inactive and where upgrades to the level crossings or fencing along the trail are implemented when the rail line becomes active.
As to the cost of building the trail, I would point out that the cost of the McKenzie interchange is estimated at $85 million. If we would invest equally among different road users, more than a $6-million investment for cyclists and pedestrians would result, since they make up more than 10 per cent of the modal share in traffic.
Leo Boon, chairman
Greater Nanaimo Cycling Coalition