MOOSE JAW — City hall wants to install over 3,000 metres of sidewalks and trails at five locations during the next three years and hopes a federal grant can offset the $5 million cost.
During its Feb. 28 regular meeting, city council voted unanimously to support the municipality’s applications to the federal active transportation fund (ATF) for five capital projects planned between 2026 and 2028.
The ATF would cover 60 per cent of eligible expenses for each project, a council report said. This means that of the $5,524,064 total price tag, the fund would cover $3,314,438 and the city would contribute $2,143,626.
Project 1
The first project is a pathway connection on Ninth Avenue Northeast worth $145,000, which would commence in 2027.
The trails and pathways master plan identified this project as a “high-priority connection improvement,” so, the city plans to extend the crusher dust trail on the road’s west side north of Lakeview Trailer Court by 575 metres and connect it south to Bell Park, the report said.
Currently, residents must walk on the roadway shoulder, which poses safety risks, especially during the winter, the document continued.
These pathways are important not just for recreational uses, but also to protect children going to school and residents walking to work, said Coun. Carla Delaurier.
Becoming emotional, the councillor recalled an incident in the 1980s where a vehicle hit her friend’s child on Ninth Avenue Northeast and left the elementary school youth a quadriplegic. So, she was thankful that administration was pursuing project 1, especially since she thought of the child whenever she travelled that road.
Delaurier added that this work was well-needed, much appreciated, and would likely please her friend’s family that action was being taken to enhance pathway safety.
Project 2
The second project adds 883 metres of new sidewalk on the south side of MacDonald Street from Algoma Avenue to Clifton Avenue, with the $1,126,440 initiative to happen in 2028 and 2029.
The city also plans to add 150 metres of missing sidewalk on the north side of the street between Fourth Avenue Northwest and the alley between Fifth Avenue Northwest and Algoma Avenue, the report said. This would complete a two-sided sidewalk along the entirety of MacDonald Street.
Furthermore, the municipality will incorporate pedestrian ramps to enhance accessibility, considering the new sidewalk follows a transit route and includes five heavily used bus stops near Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Vanier Collegiate, the document continued.
“The grass boulevard currently features a well-worn dirt path, highlighting its frequent use by pedestrians,” the report added.
Project 3
The third project is a pathway connection to Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital worth $295,000, which the city plans to complete in 2026.
The trails and pathways master plan identified this project as a “high-priority connection improvement,” since there are currently no pathway connections leading to the hospital, the report said. The proposed project would provide “a much-needed connection, ensuring safe access to the hospital” using the existing active transportation network.
The new 900-metre asphalt pathway would link the Main Street North/Thatcher Drive trail to the existing sidewalk on Diefenbaker Drive.
Project 4
The fourth project is a sidewalk connection to the Fourth Avenue Bridge worth $3,792,624, which the city wants to complete in 2028 and 2029.
The initiative would see the city install a sidewalk to connect the bridge’s pedestrian walkway to Third Avenue Northwest — including a crosswalk on Manitoba Street — to ensure pedestrian safety when crossing this busy road, the report said.
City hall will schedule this project in conjunction with the bridge replacement in 2028-29, which will also create a new footpath over the bridge. Also, based on the federal mediation agreement, Canadian Pacific Kansas City would pay 15 per cent of this cost, or roughly $568,000.
Project 5
The fifth project is a pathway connection from the Yara Centre to Ninth Avenue Northwest worth $165,000, to be completed in 2028.
The trails and pathways master plan identified this project as a “high-priority connection improvement,” so, the city plans to install a 740-metre crusher dust pathway to improve pedestrian access to one of the city’s busiest recreational venues, the report said.
The new path would also provide a connection to the city service centre, allowing employees who don’t commute by vehicle to safely access the complex, the document added.
Extra details
City administration told council that these initiatives address the major outstanding connection projects, while the city will address smaller connection issues through regular capital programs.
Furthermore, there will be a significant increase in maintenance expenses in the winter, while the trails with crusher dust will require weeding in the summer, administration said.
One idea city hall is possibly pursuing is a “holistic view” of the outdoor rink system, including the amount of resources dedicated to their upkeep, encouraging neighbourhoods to maintain those rinks and redirecting resources toward pathways, administration added.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, March 10.
