New Pathway Providing Safe and Healthy Transportation Options in Kelowna

KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Sept. 13, 2016) - Cyclists and pedestrians will have a new and safe route option this fall with the official opening of the Bulman Road UBC Connector trail. Investments in such public transit infrastructure are vital to creating jobs, strengthening the middle class and connecting people to their communities by allowing them to be active participants, both socially and economically.

The Bulman Road UBC Connector trail is a four-meter wide pathway that will pass under the highway connecting the Hollywood Road/John Hindle Drive roundabout to Bulman Road on the opposite side of Highway 97.

This strategic connection will intersect the future Okanagan Rail Corridor and provide a new off-highway connection to serve residents, students and staff with a safe and direct link to University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus (UBCO). The trail will create new opportunities for outdoor recreation for families and residents as well as improve air quality in the surrounding area.

The Government of Canada contributed $1 million through the federal Gas Tax Fund and the City of Kelowna contributed $100,000, for a total project cost of $1.1 million.

The Government of Canada provides over $265 million in indexed funding for local government infrastructure projects across British Columbia through the federal Gas Tax Fund. The funding can be spent on any eligible project the community prioritizes across a broad range of eligible project categories, or it can be pooled with other communities for regional projects, banked for later priorities or used to pay for financed projects.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada provides $265,940,736 in annual funding for municipal infrastructure in British Columbia through the federal Gas Tax Fund.
• The Union of BC Municipalities administers the federal Gas Tax Fund in British Columbia in partnership with the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

Quotes

"It is my pleasure to mark the completion of the Bulman Road UBC Connector trail today. The Government of Canada is proud to invest in significant infrastructure projects that not only create good jobs and showcase our country's natural beauty, but build the cities where the middle class can grow, prosper and play."

- Stephen Fuhr, Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister for Infrastructure and Communities

"We value the investment made to build this important trail to UBCO, giving pedestrians and cyclists a safer travel option in my community. Capital projects like these are helping to support our growing economy and providing people with more transportation options right across the province."

- Norm Letnick, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Kelowna-Lake Country, on behalf of Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

"The City is committed to making sustainable infrastructure a priority. Projects such as this support and encourage safe walking and cycling, while reducing vehicle dependency and greenhouse gas emissions. This is important to the health of our citizens and future growth of our community."

- Colin Basran, Mayor, City of Kelowna

"Expanding the range of travel choices in communities is a priority shared by all levels of government. We appreciate the funding that is being provided through the federal Gas Tax Fund to make this addition to Kelowna's trail network a reality."

- Al Richmond, President, Union of B.C. Municipalities

Associated Links

Federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia

Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada's new $120 billion infrastructure plan

Federal Gas Tax Fund

For more information about this project and other City projects visit: kelowna.ca/cityprojects.

Twitter: @INFC_eng

Web: Infrastructure Canada