Great news for accessible trail users from the City of Fernie! The City has successfully secured $500,000 in funding through the Provincial Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program to pave the 1.9 km Annex Park trail loop between the West Fernie and North Fernie (Leo T. Nimsick) Bridges.

Topping the soon to be upgraded Annex dike, currently in the final engineering and design phase, this new paved path improves accessibility. It will enable people of all ages and abilities to walk, bike, and roll along the Elk River on a fully paved, inclusive trail network from the Visitor’s Centre in the Ghostrider Subdivision to Mount Fernie Park Road

This project complements the $4.975 million grant funded Annex Dike project and connects to the Fernie Valley Pathway, creating an accessible active transportation corridor extending to Mount Fernie Park Road at a combined grant-funded value of $7.178 million.

Mayor Ange Qualizza says, “We are excited to receive this grant. Combining flood protection with active transportation and great experience for trail users was very important to us. This project brings together many benefits including accessible stations that are inclusive of fitness, rest and reflection, complimented with artwork that highlights the natural, historical and cultural heritage of the region.”

Mark Rowlands, Acting Director, Operations, adds, “In addition to representing a catalyst project for supporting active transportation, combining this accessible trail network with the Annex Dike project advances two critical pillars in addressing climate change, a strategic priority for the City of Fernie.”

This grant completes the paving of three major infrastructure projects: The Fernie Valley Pathway, Annex Dike Improvements and Annex Park trail loop, with a combined project value of $7.178 million.

These improvements are a testament to an exceptional collaboration with local community groups and other levels of government. It also highlights the importance of ongoing work focused on critical infrastructure in Fernie. The completion of improvements to the Annex Dike brings the total investment in flood protection based on Fernie’s 2019 Flood Mitigation Plan to $8.234 million.

The City’s target is for the paving to be complete by Fall 2022. The City of Fernie thanks the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for funding this important project.

To learn more about BC’s Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program, visit: news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021TRAN0135-001815