The Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador; the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for St. John’s South–Mount Pearl, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; and City of St. John’s Mayor Danny Breen; announced funding today for a project to upgrade and connect a trail to a continuous 4.8 kilometre active transportation route in St. John’s.
The project will see the construction of the Kelly’s Brook Shared-Use Path by upgrading and connecting existing segments of a trail between Columbus Drive and Kings Bridge Road that parallels Empire Avenue to create a safer, inclusive pedestrian and cycling route.
Once complete, residents will benefit from a multi-purpose path that will connect different neighbourhoods and connect the east and west ends of St. John’s.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $1,113,600 million in this project through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS) of the Investing in Canada infrastructure program. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is providing over $755,600, while the City of St. John’s is contributing more than $377,900.
Construction is expected to start in 2021.
Quotes
“Physical activity is important for our mental and physical health. Since COVID-19 changed our lives, active living has become even more important, and encouraging people to live a healthy lifestyle is important to our government. By working with the City of St. John’s and the Federal Government, we are providing access to a safe, inclusive trail for walkers and cyclists to enjoy.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“Health and wellness is important to everyone. This trail will be inclusive for everyone and provide an opportunity for walkers, runners and cyclists in St. John’s and surrounding municipalities to live active and healthy lifestyles.”
Honourable Derrick Bragg
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
“We need more biking around our beautiful city. And we need our bikers to be safe. This project will make walking and cycling more practical and safer for more people.”
The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for St. John’s South–Mount Pearl, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities”
“On behalf of Council and staff, we are thankful to our Federal and Provincial partners for this significant investment in City infrastructure. Upgrading Kelly’s Brook Trail is a major step in building an integrated mobility network that will support multiple modes of active transportation in our City. Improved connectivity will provide health and economic benefits for many years to come, and I look forward to breaking ground on this project.”
City of St. John’s Mayor Danny Breen
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Learn more
Investing in COVID-19 Community Resilience
Investing in Canada Plan Project Map
Federal infrastructure investments in Newfoundland and Labrador
Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan
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Media contacts
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca
Emily-Jane Gillingham
Media Relations Manager
Transportation and Works
709-729-1758
EmilyGillingham@gov.nl.ca
Chantalle Aubertin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-941-0660
chantalle.aubertin@canada.ca
Kelly Maguire
Media Relations
City of St. John’s
709-576-8491
kmaguire@stjohns.ca
Media Relations
Infrastructure Canada
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