If Colwood plans it, an overpass may come to the Island Highway.

A feasibility study for a cycling and pedestrian overpass over the busy regional roadway, to be paid for with $12,500 from gas tax revenues, has been approved by council and could be a key to connecting one of the last significant gaps in the Galloping Goose Trail.

B次元官网网址淲hat that (study) does is makes us eligible for grants. In order to qualify for the grants you need to have plans,B次元官网网址� said Coun. Lilja Chong. B次元官网网址淪o the feasibility study (will tell us) how long it would take to build, how much it would cost, where it would be and the province would say B次元官网网址榶esB次元官网网址� or maybe fund half of it.B次元官网网址�

At a Capital Regional District trail management plan open house this month, avid cyclist Chong noticed there were no plans to address the need for Goose riders travelling in either direction to cross Island Highway at the controlled intersection at Ocean Boulevard and Wale Road.

Chong said she has taken videos of trail users jay walking or cycling across the busy highway mid-block to reach the next section of the Goose, an alternative she said isnB次元官网网址檛 safe.

B次元官网网址�(The Galloping Goose) is 55 kilometres long and out of that, the Island Highway is the only major gap. You have to walk five minutes down, wait because itB次元官网网址檚 a huge intersection, and walk five minutes up,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚t breaks the connectivity the Galloping Goose is supposed to have.B次元官网网址�

While the topic of a connector has been discussed before, Coun. Gordie Logan hopes this time there may be an opportunity to make it happen.

B次元官网网址淭his particular item is something the City met with Highways Minister Todd Stone about at the (Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention) last September,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎nd he looked at the project favourably because it met a number of the provinceB次元官网网址檚 objectives in terms of transportation objectives and climate change.B次元官网网址�

Logan said an overpass must blend into a community, adding that the City has no interest in a B次元官网网址渃oncrete, ugly behemoth,B次元官网网址� as he referred to some pedestrian overpasses around the region. He hopes for something both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

Chong agreed, saying the community of Colwood has a chance to show its artistic side with such a structure.

B次元官网网址淭he CRD plan promotes art, like murals,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淰iew Royal made a little overpass B次元官网网址� with a rock mural, it is very artsy (and) it shows the opportunity that you can be creative.B次元官网网址�

While itB次元官网网址檚 too early to have specifics of any funding model or exact plans, Chong is hopeful the province and CRD will partner on an overpass project to help make it a financial reality.

B次元官网网址淚 am very excited to move forward with this B次元官网网址� We have tried, but come across challenges and we still face challenges, but I feel we have a real shot,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 keep hearing there is the need and the want. I hope this time we can do it; get some grants, get the funding, so it will go through. ItB次元官网网址檚 an exciting thing for cyclists and pedestrians B次元官网网址� everyone.B次元官网网址�

alim@goldstreamgazette.com