The Village of Telkwa (the “Village”) is enhancing active transportation opportunities in the community, and recently completed an Active Transportation Network Plan (ATNP). In order to construct an active transport pathway (ATP), an engineering detailed design of the project must be developed; hence this funding request. The detailed design will include a "Class A" construction cost estimate to enable the Village to apply for future funding to construct a "shovel-ready" ATP.

The pedestrian highway underpass on Hankin Avenue is an excellent link for school children and the community to cross the highway. Further to the east, a staircase connects the Village core to Tower neighbourhood. However, between these two important pieces of infrastructure, is a missing link, without a safe ATP along Hankin Avenue from Telkwa Elementary School to the stairs. The stairs allow people walking to avoid travelling along a dangerous section of the highway into the Village core.

It is paramount that communities provide the ability to independently and safely access services for everyone by ensuring that the pedestrian environment is safe and convenient for users. The Village's ATNP provides a roadmap to guide strategic investments in active transportation, which can result in a more balanced transportation system that is accessible, cost-effective, and a more equitable approach to Village infrastructure investments. The Village's ATNP was guided by a collaborative process involving Village staff, community stakeholders, residents and community surveys - all of whom played an important role in reshaping the future of safe active transportation in the Village. The Village's ATNP aligns with the Province's active transportation policies by creating a local plan that addresses community challenges and provides solutions for supporting residents in choosing active modes of travel in a safe environment. The Telkwa Elementary School and The Ark Daycare Centre will benefit when the Hankin Avenue ATP is constructed (subsequent to funds being secured after the detailed design is complete). Subsequent to the community survey in Fall 2022, the community expressed a lack of cycling and walking infrastructure; a desire for safe connections along travel corridors that connects Village neighbourhoods with community destinations; and the ability for residents with diverse abilities to move safely around the community, including children, seniors and those with mobility aids. An in-person workshop was held in summer 2022, and one of the top priority projects requested by the community was to connect Tower neighbourhood to the Village core, and a new crosswalk by the Telkwa Elementary School to improve the safety of all users, which is what the detailed design for the Hankin Avenue ATP will address.

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