Staff Report (Engineering) — Bike BC Grant Application 2019

Background

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has announced the Bike BC Program is accepting applications for grant funding for communities to enhance and expand cycling infrastructure such as bike lanes, multi-use paths and trails, and cycling/pedestrian bridges.

Bike BC will continue to provide local governments up to 50% of a project’s eligible costs up to a maximum of $1,000,000. Grant applications are due on February 18, 2018.

Commentary

Mayor and Council have endorsed the Langford Outdoor Recreation Experience Plan as shown in Figure 1; however an official Council resolution is required to apply for the Bike BC grant.

This grant report deals with the connecting the backbone portions of the multi-use pathway between Westhills and West Shore Parkway through the Paradise Ponds Park as well as an extension north on Humpback to Goldstream Provincial Park serving the Goldstream Meadows community. Westhills is required to construct the middle portion of the multiuse path along Irwin Rd as part of the frontage works with their development.

The project involves upgrading the trail within the Paradise Ponds property to a multi-use standard as well as constructing a separated multiuse trail along Humpback Rd. Staff are proposing to close the southbound lane of Humpback and convert it to a multi-use lane and widen the existing northbound lane of Humpback to accommodate two-way traffic.

This application was submitted in the 2018 uptake for Bike BC but was not successful.

Financial Implications

Staff are proposing to use gas tax funds for our portion of the multi-use portion

Segment 1: Paradise Ponds Connector to Westhills (1 km)

There is an existing trail through this area that is in need of upgrading to the multi-use path. It also includes upgrades to the existing bridge, a pedestrian signal crossing Irwin and constructing a separated 3.5m path along the north side of Irwin to the Westhills frontage. Staff have budgeted $525,000.

Segment 2: Irwin Multi-use path (535 metres)

This project is required to be built by Westhills and will not be including this portion in our grant.

Segment 3: Humpback Multi-use Path and link to the Great Trail (1.4 km)

Staff have estimated that this segment will cost upwards of $850,000. On Point is working on a detailed cost estimate that will be refined for the grant application.

Legal Implications

None noted.

Options

That Council:

1. Direct staff to apply for the Bike BC grant for two segments of the Humpback – Irwin multi use trail, namely the segments from Paradise Ponds to Westhills (1km) and the Humpback to Great Trail connection (1.4km) for a total estimated cost of $1.4M fund our portion of the project estimated at $900K from gas tax revenue; and that the City’s application be publically conveyed as needed.
   OR

2. Direct staff to apply for the Bike BC grant for only one of Segment 1 (Pardise Ponds Connector to Westhills, 1km) or Segment 3 (humpback Multi-use Path linking to the Great Trail, 1.4km) estimated at $525,000 and $850,000 respectively; and that the City’s application be publically conveyed as needed.
   OR

3. Do not apply for the Bike BC grant for the Humpback - Irwin grant multi use trail.

Attachments

• Figure 1

Respectfully submitted

Submitted by:
Michelle Mahovlich, P.Eng, P.Geo, Director of Engineering

Concurrence:
Matthew Baldwin, MCIP, RPP Director of Planning

Concurrence:
Chris Aubrey, Fire Chief

Concurrence:
Cory Manton, Manager of Parks and Recreation

Concurrence:
George Henshall, AScT, Deputy Director of Engineering and Public Works

Concurrence:
Michael Dillabaugh, CPA, CA, Director of Finance

Concurrence:
Braden Hutchins, Director of Corporate Services

Concurrence:
Darren Kiedyk, Chief Administrative Officer

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Figure 1