Kelowna City Council is being asked to endorse a pair of applications that will fund two major infrastructure projects.
On Monday, council will be reviewing a staff report that asks for authorization to apply to the 2023/2024 BC Active Transportation Grant that will go towards the Rail Trail to Greenway Active Transportation Corridor (ATC) and the Bertram Multi-use Overpass.
“The Province of British Columbia’s Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program supports active transportation networks that are safe, accessible, and convenient for all ages and abilities,” says a staff report.
“Local governments are allowed to submit applications for two projects, covering 50 per cent of eligible costs to a maximum of $500,000 per project.”
The request comes about two months after council was told that the price for the Bertram Street pedestrian overpass had tripled to $12 million.
The overpass will provide an accessible connection to people walking, rolling and biking across Highway 97 between the Central Green development and downtown.
It will also be the first phase of the Bertram ATC, which will see a 1.3 km bike route across downtown and provide access to UBC Okanagan's future campus on Doyle Avenue.
As for the Rail Trail to Greenway ATC, the city is planning on adding 600 metres of protected bike lanes to Leckie Road between Dilworth Drive and Highway 97N.
Funding for the overpass and the $3.95 million ATC is already included in the 2023 Financial Plan.
The pathway will connect to the existing path on the south end of Leckie Road and will finish the first link between two of Kelowna’s primary ATCs, the Okanagan Rail Trail and Mission Creek Greenway.
The staff report says both projects remain a top priority for council with construction planned to begin in 2024.
The two grants will be used to substitute existing project funding, address potential cost overruns or scope changes and explore opportunities to speed up other ATC projects in the city.
Should council endorse the two applications, the 2024 Financial Plan would need to be amended to include the grant money.
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