Active Transportation: West Sechelt and East Porpoise Bay

What is Active Transportation?

Active transportation is human-powered transportation that connects your destinations. This includes using your power and or having assistance from a device that gives you a boost. Examples:

• Walk;
• Run;
• Roll (scooter, roller blades, skateboard, micro mobility, etc.); and
• Cycle.

The Project

The total project cost of $4.38 million comes from all three levels of government as follows:

• $3.24 million from the provincial and federal Covid 19 Resilient Communities Grant
• $900,000 from BC’s Growing Communities Grant
• $135,000 from the District of Sechelt
• $110,000 from BC’s Climate Action Program

The project will improve active transportation by completing an active transportation corridor in conjunction with a bike lane project funded by a Bike BC Active Transportation grant. This project will result in better connections between West Sechelt, West Porpoise Bay and downtown Sechelt.

Walking and biking paths will provide access to West Sechelt Elementary and Kinnikinnick Elementary. Existing paths and trails will be improved and two new trails will be completed. In total, just under 6 km of new safe walking and biking facilities will be constructed. The pathway network will provide a safe means for residents and visitors to move around in the community and various parts of town using active transportation.

The paths can be used for people walking, running, cycling, as well as mobility scooters, strollers and more. Once complete, this network will easily connect West Sechelt Elementary and Kinnikinnick Elementary schools. Local contractor, Maycon Construction Management as well as District staff have conducted the project work.

Complete

• Raised sidewalk and bike path on Mason Road from Highway 101 to Norwest Bay Road;
• Raised crosswalk with pedestrian-controlled flashing lights at Norvan Road and Mason Road;
• Multi-use path on Mason Road between Norwest Bay Road and Reeves Road;
• Path improvements on Crowston Trail.

Ongoing, expected completion in 2024

• Path improvements on Reeves Road from Mason Road to Crowston Trail;
• Path improvements on a section of trail on Ripple Way;
• Active Transportation path on Ripple Way from Kinnikinnick Elementary School to Kinnikinnick soccer field;;
• Installation of drainage and culverts as required.

Future related projects

• Design and engineering of Burnett Road multi-use pathway, from the ocean to Sechelt Inlet Road to prepare for future construction; and,
• Design and engineering for an active transportation corridor on Sechelt Inlet Road from Burnett Road to the provincial park boundary to prepare for future construction.

Infrastructure Canada issued a news release(External link) with additional information.

Current Status

The Segment 1 (A & B or red and blue in the map below) project is substantially complete and open for use. This project was awarded to Maycon Construction Management Ltd. at the cost of $2,947,690.

Sidewalk construction next to West Sechelt Elementary on Mason Road

Ditch replacement with storm pipe opposite West Sechelt Elementary


Segment 2 (section D in purple) is complete and open for use.

Segment 3 )sections C& E in green and orange) have construction delays relating to archeological studies. We are planning to have this section complete by the end of 2024.

Click to view larger image

1. Red: Mason Road - Hwy 101 to Norwest Bay Road
2. Blue: Mason Road - Norwest Bay Road to Reeves Road
3. Green: Reeves Road - Mason Road to Emerson Road
4. Purple: Crowston Trail including Ripple Way to Kinnikinnick Park
5. Orange: Ripple Way widening - Kinnikinnick Elementary School to Kinnikinnick Park