The District of Squamish plans to work on two significant active transportation improvements on Depot Road and Victoria Street. At a council meeting today, staff will seek the council’s permission to apply for $500,000 in funding for each project through the BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program.
The Victoria Street upgrade aims to build a protected cycling route along Victoria Street between the future pedestrian and cycling bridge over the Mamquam Blind Channel and Third Avenue in downtown Squamish. The project will include protected bike lanes suitable for all ages and abilities, pedestrian safety upgrades at intersections, minor streetlight improvements, and landscaping enhancements.
Meanwhile, the Depot Road project will improve the route between Highway 99 and Government Road. This project will create a safe, active route to school by widening the paved area on the north side of the road. It will also add physical barriers to separate pedestrians and cyclists from vehicle traffic.
The District has earmarked significant funds for these projects. For Victoria Street, the 2024-28 Financial Plan already includes $1.1 million in reserve funds, which will be carried forward to 2025, with an additional $500,000 in grant funding being sought. If successful, the total budget for the Victoria Street project will reach $1.795 million. For Depot Road, the District plans to allocate $1.525 million in the 2025-2029 Financial Plan, with $875,000 earmarked for Phase 1 in 2025. The $500,000 grant would cover the bulk of Phase 1’s cost, with the remainder planned for 2026.
The Active Transportation upgrades align with the District’s long-term Active Transportation Plan (ATP), adopted in 2016, and the ongoing development of the Transportation Master Plan (TMP). These plans prioritize east-west transportation corridors, aiming to improve connectivity and create safe, accessible routes for cyclists and pedestrians.
In February 2023, council approved a protected bike lane route through downtown, choosing Victoria Street as the preferred east-west corridor. Following a review in September 2024, council opted to pursue lower-cost upgrade options for Victoria Street and Depot Road, making them eligible for the current round of provincial grant funding.
Should the funding applications succeed, both projects will begin construction in 2025. If the grants are not secured, the District will proceed with the Victoria Street project, using reserve funds to cover any shortfall. Construction on the Depot Road project would be delayed until 2026.
Reja says
How sweet – a PROTECTED bike lane on Victoria! I only wish there was a protected PEDESTRIAN lane somewhere, anywhere in the downtown core. Cyclists seem to think SIDEWALKS in commercial areas are there for them to whiz along, scattering pedestrians as they go. Would be nice to see some enforcement of the law.
Francine Lessard says
Having lived on Depot road West for 36 years I believe the improvements ought not be reserved solely for the East side of Depot road, there are far more kids and pedestrian known to use the west part. Depot rd West has ad a chronic speeding issue since my girls started school and they are now in her 30’s and we have as a whole of Depot residents have been asking for speed bump for years. Also making Depot safe for children walking home from school and a bike lane to one side where no cars can park on. This funding was found and this announcement is in part due to merely catering to all of the new developers adding density to our neighborhood. Because access is what is important to the district as for these coming developers…. its only a disguised. I do know that the East side has been complaining about speeding for years and raised the issue many times. From the highway to Government and Depot I know and believe the proposed project might just increase that problem.
It’s not about safety its about money tell it like is, if they cared about us they would of put safety speed bump long ago on the whole of Depot and they would of responded to the concerned citizens and their petition.
Be safe out there on Depot rd kiddos and have safe and happy Halloween
Reja says
Speed bumps slow down first responders too. You can’t put them on a major route like Depot without it negatively affecting how quickly fire & ambulance get to where they’re going. Seconds count!