Highway 35 Multi-use Trail Project
The long-term vision for this project is to connect the Village of Burns Lake to the Francois Lake Ferry Terminal with a multi-use trail on the highway right of way. This vision is supported by the Electoral Areas B and E Parks and Trails Master Plan which identifies supporting active transportation and a connected community as a priority.
The proposed trail will provide a safe and functional transportation option for residents and a recreation and tourism asset that will benefit visitors who support local businesses.
The first phase of the project was initiated in April 2023 when WSP Canada Ltd. was awarded the conceptual design study contract for a 13 km long accessible multi-use trail on the highway right of way, connecting the Village of Burns Lake and Tchesinkut Lake.
The conceptual design and the associated report are now complete and were presented to the Regional District Board of Directors at the September 26, 2024, Board meeting.
Read the September 26, 2024, Regional District Board report here
Check out the Highway 35 Multi-use Path Conceptual Design Report here!
The project report includes a set of conceptual drawings, a Class D cost estimate for construction, a stakeholder engagement report and a design summary discussing notable design elements, property acquisition, alternative alignment options, and project phasing.
The report identifies the preferred route to run on the southbound side of the highway from the bridge at Gerow Island to Frame Rd, where it would cross Highway 35 and run on the northbound side to Tchesinkut East Road.
The project engagement included invitations to the public, community organizations, First Nations, utilities, the Village of Burns Lake, government agencies and other stakeholders. Engagement opportunities included an open house, one-on-one meetings and an on-line survey. In addition, notification letters to property owners along the route were sent twice during the project.
The report notes that further feasibility and design details of the project would be determined during the detailed design in the future.
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What happens next?
On June 18, 2024, the Province announced $85 million in funding for active transportation projects on Ministry owned right of ways through the Active Transportation Capital Fund. The proposed Highway 35 trail is one of eleven selected active transportation projects in the province.
In the announcement the Province noted that the first phase of the project will be completing design for the Highway 35 multi-use pathway. To date, the Regional District has not received any further details about the Ministry of Transportation’s plan for the trail.