PARKSVILLE — A busy north-south Parksville collector road will be resurfaced, as well as amenities added for non-vehicular users.
The City of Parksville expects crews to begin revitalizing Stanford Ave. E between McCarter St. and Shelly Rd. from late this month with an expected substantial completion of late next summer.
Shawn Boven, City of Parksville director of engineering and information systems, said the 1.2 kilometre construction area was identified in their Transportation Master Plan endorsed last year.
“We are excited about the pedestrian and multi-modal transportation upgrades to this section of road,” Boven said. Currently, there is some sidewalk on the north side, but there is significant gaps, so this will close the gaps and add the multi-use pathway on the south side.”
Rendering of pending enhancements to Stanford Ave E. (Image Credit: City of Parksville)
The project also involves traffic calming elements, including the conversion of a portion of Corfield St. S. from four lanes to two.
Watermain improvements and stormwater enhancements are also included.
Boven expects their contractor to begin work this fall, but said the intent is to minimize disruptions this winter.
A bulk of the work is expected to take place during next spring and summer for the corridor which serves as a primary supplement to using Hwy. 19A through Parksville.
The project is budgeted at $8.3 million, according to the City, with the potential of assistance via ICBC.
More information on the project can be found here.
Overhead view of the construction zone to be addressed on Stanford Ave. E, as well as a portion of Corfield St. (Image Credit: City of Parksville)
Boven noted that the Stanford Ave. E renewal fits well with a pair of other nearby active mobility projects.
He said the Stanford Ave. E work creates strong synergy with the ongoing pathway project which will eventually link Shelly Rd. east of Hwy. 19A with the Community Park.
“Between that and this work on Stanford Ave., it will almost form a loop that people can do,” Boven said.
Additionally, crews are nearing completion of nearly 500 meters of new sidewalk on the south side of the Alberni Hwy., installing two new crosswalks at Bernard Ave. and Hickey Ave. as well as adding new streetlights.
“It ties in a pedestrian link from a fairly heavily densely populated area near Quality Foods and provides a direct link into the downtown core,” Boven told NanaimoNewsNOW.
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