Funding boost for active-living projects

Four new multi-use paths totalling 2.93 kilometres, and 130 metres of sidewalks, are being built in the Town of Yarmouth to provide safe active transportation options.

The funding announcement for the project was made on July 16 by Health and Wellness Minister Zach Churchill.

The federal government is investing close to $945,000 in the town's active transportation network, the province is investing nearly $790,000 and the town is contributing $630,000. The total cost of the multi-use pathways project is $2.36 million.

Residents and visitors will have more safe, accessible, sustainable and environmentally friendly ways to move around Yarmouth with the funding from all levels of government.

The completion of the four new multi-use paths includes:

An asphalt multi-use trail between Starrs Road and Parade Street on Haley Road. This adds a northward extension to the trail added along Haley Road last year between Forest Street and Parade Street.

A four-way stop and a six-inch curb will be added at the Parade Street/Haley Road intersection. This work comes first and will be completed in the fall of 2021.

An asphalt multi-use trail between Forest Street and Argyle Street on Haley Road. This will extend the trail south and connect a number of residents on Haley Road to the trail system. Work for this phase is planned for completion in 2022. (Note: the trail will be installed on the east side of the Haley Road for this portion).

A rebuild of the intersection at Haley Road and Starrs Road. This will include upgrading the traffic lights and concrete islands and the addition of a sidewalk on Starrs Road.

An asphalt multi-use trail connecting Haley Road to Pleasant Street on Starrs Road. Work for this phase is planned for 2022-23.

"Investing in Yarmouth's multi-use pathways network will help the province achieve its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and make clean transportation options the easy and healthy choice for residents," said Churchill.

He added that the funding will remain in place for the project regardless of who wins the upcoming provincial election.

Once completed, the multiuse pathways project will offer safe active transportation options. This will allow pedestrians and cyclists of all ages and abilities to travel along the main active transportation route within the town's downtown business core, residential area and high school district.

The project was identified in the Town of Yarmouth's active transportation plan and complements the town's recent Climate Change Mitigation Action Plan that was adopted in February.

Construction is expected to start this fall and will be completed by fall 2023.

Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood says the project has many high points.

“The trail will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and it is a vital piece of infrastructure that will connect one end of the town to the other," she said.

"And for me, most importantly, it provides a space that can be used by all residents including walkers, runners, those in wheelchairs and scooters, cyclists and more," she added. "It encourages folks to get out in the fresh air – moving has health benefits and is important to our community."

Frank Grant, director of Yarmouth Recreation, says the town has followed Yarmouth's Active Transportation Plan to a T since it was released in 2010.

“These new multi-use trails are awesome. People can go by each other, say if there's a stroller and a cyclist. It makes sense,” he said, adding that he's looking forward to more areas of Yarmouth being connected.