Report to Council Re: BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program
Staff report recommending that the Town apply for a provincial grant to fund the Island Highway Upgrades project between Hart Road and Wilfert Road.
Report to Council
Re: BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program Meeting Date: October 17, 2023
Project 2:
Project: Island Highway Upgrades – Helmcken Rd to Beaumont Ave Financial Plan Project ID: C-012, Construction scheduled for 2024. Budget: >$3M (requires revision), 66% of which will require grant funding Description: This project proposes completing a complete street along the Island Hwy, from Helmcken Rd to Beaumont Ave (approximately 250m). The works would include the installation of sidewalks, bike lanes, rain gardens and medians, street trees and left/right turning movements.
The project requires significant federal/provincial funding. The Town has previously applied for grant funding for this project and unsuccessfully so. The works are currently not considered a priority in the ATNP.
Project 1 (Island Hwy Upgrades – Hart Rd to Wilfert Rd) is considered an eligible project as it meets the grant criteria and is endorsed by Council as part of the 2023-2027 Financial Plan approval. The project is identified as a short-term priority in the ATNP.
Project 2 (Island Hwy Upgrades – Helmcken Rd to Beaumont Ave) is not fully considered eligible and would still have funding issues (additional grant funding would be required even if the Town was granted the full $500,000 amount). As this project was not identified as a priority in the ATNP and past transportation related grant applications were unsuccessful, staff do not consider this project as a good candidate for grant funding.
SUSTAINABILITY/CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS:
There are no direct sustainability or climate change impacts with respect to this staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The grant would provide cost sharing funding that could cover 70% of eligible project costs, up to $500,000 per project.
Should the Town be successful in obtaining grant funding for Project 1, it would decrease the amount of Casino Revenue required to fund this project. The cost savings to the Town could be utilized to help fund other priority active transportation projects identified in the ATNP.
ALTERNATIVES:
Council could suggest applying the BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant to other projects. However, other projects are considered less eligible, or not eligible at all.
CONCLUSION:
As the Town now has an Active Transportation Network Plan, additional funding opportunities under the BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program can be applied for.
Staff have reviewed all transportation projects within the 5-year Financial Plan to determine grant eligibility. Staff recommend applying for the grant for Project C-066: Island Hwy Upgrades – Hart Rd to Wilfert Rd.
CONCURRENCE:
| Position | Initials | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Administrative Officer | KA | Recommend Approval |
REVIEWED BY:
| Position | Initials |
|---|---|
| Director of Corporate Administration | NR |
| Director of Finance | NR |
| Director of Development Services | NR |
| Director of Engineering and Parks | IL |
| Director of Protective Services | NR |
ATTACHMENTS:
Project Summary C-066: Island Hwy Upgrades – Hart Rd to Wilfert Rd