6th Street Bridge Budget Updated

Courtenay’s 6th Street Active Transportation Bridge has moved another step towards the start of construction.

Council approved the award of the construction contract at its meeting last week and updated the project’s cost estimate.

Council received the results of the recent request for proposals for construction of the key transportation connector. Given those submissions,

Council directed staff to secure $4.3 million in long-term borrowing to complete the project.

The estimated overall cost for the work has been updated to $11.2 million, from $6.9 million.

The City will continue to explore other funding opportunities to offset project costs.

The project has been awarded $3.5 million in grant funding, and the balance is proposed to be paid for by long-term borrowing and reserves.

Mayor Bob Wells says the 6th Street Active Transportation Bridge is a cornerstone project for the downtown vitalization plan and an important investment in the downtown core.

“We feel it’s important to continue to move this vital project forward and will continue to seek grant funding to reduce impacts to Courtenay taxpayers,” Wells said.

The bridge will be a four-metre wide crossing over the Courtenay River, from the bottom of 6th Street to Simms Millennium Park.

It’s designed for cyclists, pedestrians and other people-powered transportation, creating an east-west connection point for the City.

It’s included in the City’s Parks & Recreation Master Plan and referenced in the Transportation Master Plan.

The preliminary schedule at this time shows construction on site beginning in fall of 2025 and completion in summer of 2026.

For more information on the project, visit City of Courtenay.