This project will install a zebra crosswalk and associated signage. Additionally, a sidewalk and curb ramp will be installed.

The Village of New Denver's 2021 Active Transportation Network Plan (ATNP) and associated figures can be found online by visiting www.newdenver.ca, navigating to Village Business, and choosing Reports & Studies from the dropdown menu. Figure 2 identifies this portion of Slocan Avenue and Kootenay Street to the north as focus corridors. Figure 3 identifies the intention to install a pedestrian connection in this block of Slocan Avenue and new sidewalk in this block of Kootenay Street. The sidewalks, stairs, and pedestrian crosswalks identified on Figure 3 on 6th Avenue between Kootenay and Union, and on Kootenay Street north of 6th Avenue, were completed recently, along with accessibility improvements at the intersection of Union & 6th, through a Core Pedestrian Connections project. These ATNP figures illustrate the importance of this pedestrian connection (also referenced on Table 2 of the ATNP) in the Village's active transportation network.

In 2023 a 10-Unit Housing Project, supported by BC Housing and Columbia Basin Trust, was completed near Slocan Avenue and Kootenay Street . These 10 units significantly increased the number of residents regularly using this intersection. Residents connected to areas to the south such as Carpenter Creek, Slocan Community Health Centre, Centennial Park, and the Orchard neighbourhood are also expected to cross at this intersection.

In addition, a community recycling depot (serving New Denver, Silverton, and surrounding rural areas) is located immediately southeast of the site, bringing both residential and commercial traffic through this intersection on a regular basis, including large trucks to empty the recycling bins. Two BC Hydro Level 3 Electric Vehicle Fast Charging stations located immediately south see regular traffic, including users who commonly travel on foot from the chargers to the grocery store, downtown, and neighbourhoods to the north by way of this intersection. There is a very popular creekside trail to the south of the recycling depot and EV chargers, accessed by a large segment of the community especially the school (K-12), daycare, and preschool. This connection is part of a school travel route for many.

This project will install a safer pedestrian crossing at this increasingly busy intersection.

Finally, the Village of New Denver was successful in receiving a BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant for further improvements in the 700 Block of Kootenay Street, complimenting the intersection improvements supported through Vision Zero. As a result, we can expect to see the sidewalk extending from this intersection (Slocan Avenue and Kootenay Street) all the way to 6th Avenue, along the east side of Kootenay Street. This extension will provide a much improved pedestrian route between the recent improvements in the area surrounding New Market Foods to the new Osprey Housing development, and beyond.

Photo source: Pixabay. Photo is shown for illustration purposes only and may not be an accurate representation of the project.