The City of Nanaimo is set to start street upgrades in Harewood, where Fourth Street will be getting two buffered bike lanes and other improvements.
The municipality, in a press release Tuesday, Jan. 11, announced that work will start this month on a ‘complete streets’ project on Fourth Street. The city says upgrades will include new cycling amenities, new sidewalks, improvements to intersections and bus stops and replacement of water mains and storm sewers.
The release from the city said the project will improve safety and comfort for people who walk, cycle, take public transit and drive. Fourth Street will be getting 900 metres of new bike lanes and 470m of new sidewalks.
“This is an important route connecting VIU with downtown and, when finished, will accommodate all types of commuters comfortably,” said Mayor Leonard Krog in the release.
The first phase of the project will include the section of Fourth Street between Harewood Road and Pine Street. Fourth Street will be completely closed between Bruce Avenue and Pine during construction of the project, with detours along Fifth Street and Park Avenue.
The Fourth Street phase of the project is expected to be finished by the summer, and a second phase of the project along Albert Street will follow.
The federal government is contributing $750,000 to the $1.8-million total project cost through a community-building fund.
“The upgrades to the Fourth Street streetscape … will benefit all commuters and encourage active modes of transportation,” said Patrick Weiler, MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, on behalf of the federal ministry of infrastructure.
Nanaimo’s Locar Industries Ltd. was awarded the construction contract.
READ ALSO: City beginning Metral Drive ‘complete street’ road work
editor@nanaimobulletin.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter