A significant milestone of the Grand Trunk Pathway extension leading west of the Frank St. and Hwy 16 intersection toward the Kalum River Bridge took place last week when crews appeared to pave the three-metre-wide multi-use walking, running and cycling trail.
Construction, including installing light standards, began last year on the 2.2-kilometre-long pathway which is being financed by approximately $1.4 million in senior government grants.
The only portion on which construction is not taking place for now is on the Kalum Motel property where the City of Terrace and its owners could not agree on the purchase of property.
The city has now started expropriation procedures to secure the needed property and expects to be able to start work there later this month.
Topsoil will be added and grass seeded, plants will provide a screening between the pathway and properties along the route and a few benches and garbage cans will be installed, said City of Terrace communications official Tyler Clarke of next steps.
Unlike the first sections of the Grand Trunk Pathway, this section runs on the north side of Hwy 16 and those using it will cross at the lights at the Frank St. and Hwy 16 intersection.
When finished, the extension will mark the end of a multi-year effort by the city to connect the downtown area with the Kalum River Bridge to provide a separated route pathway from Hwy 16 for pedestrians, walkers and cyclists.
Officially called the Grand Trunk Pathway, the route is commonly called the millennium trail after the first section was completed in 2000.
Meanwhile, crews are back on another major city project, the construction of a three-metre wide and paved pathway from Apsley St. on the eastern end of Lakelse Ave. toward the Old Skeena Bridge.
This is a $1 million project also financed by senior government grants and will result in a pathway separated but parallel to the vehicle roadway.
“The project is on track to be completed this summer,” said Clarke.
A separate contract was awarded to deal with rock outcroppings along some sections of this pathway.