Bike paths, sidewalks funded

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: May 15, 2011 1:00 AM
A major infusion of cash is being directed towards attempts to have Vernonites abandon their cars. City council has authorized $600,000 from reserves for construction of 15 sidewalk, bicycle and multi-use path projects.  “The projects were identified in the official community plan and the transportation plan,” said Amanda Watson, a transportation technician.  “We are creating a realistic alternative to the vehicle.” Six of the projects involve sidewalks, including $170,000 for Okanagan Avenue from South Vernon Road to the Cliffs complex.  A further $104,531 will be spent on sidewalks for 36th Street from Okanagan Avenue to Mission Hill Elementary School.  Five of the projects will see bicycle lanes created, including the widening of the Mission Road shoulder for $96,000.  “There is only shoulder on the side of the road,” said Watson, adding that the project will extend to the Allan Brooks Nature Centre.  “This will be an area for pedestrians and cyclists.”  Funds will also go towards three multi-use trails.  The largest project will be $50,000 for a cross-walk on 39th Avenue, at the curling club, which will connect to a trail. A further $25,875 will be spent on a trail on Marshall Road from Cummins to Lakeshore roads, while $1,000 is geared towards signage. One goal of the initiative is to improve signs in school zones. “We need to highlight to drivers to slow down,” said Watson.
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2011 Capital Projects

Don Quixote Note: This $600,000 was put into reserves as part of the 2011 budget for Capital Reserves.The 3 TDM amounts shown in the budget totaling $800,000 for Sidewalks, Cycling & Trails was actually reduced to a total of $600,000 and this is the reserve that is referred to in the article. The extra $200,000 was actually put into a Transit Reserve which helped pay for the extra UBCO bus. ($100,000). The City's CFO will make the required changes to the Capital Projects list to reflect this.

Furthermore there are 2010 carryover amounts of:

• $5,542  Sidewalks
• $121,372 Cycling
• $57,838 Trails 

That will be used  for other TDM Projects as required.

Also the first project on the list (29th St. Phase 2) (Polson Greenway) is a TDM DCC project that is paid for by DCC's at the rate of 47%. ($905,440), $344,080 for sewer ratepayers & $1,062,907 by Taxpayers.