The federal government announced more than $1.3 million to support 27 active transportation planning projects in British Columbia.

In Vancouver, the funding will enable the city to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of building a greenway running north-south through East Vancouver. The greenway would connect a number of discontinuous local streets and trails to provide a seamless and relatively flat route from the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Bridge to the Central Valley Greenway.

This greenway would provide walking, cycling, and other active travel options for residents of all ages and abilities. The City of Vancouver will collect data at key intersections, assess traffic impacts, undertake stakeholder consultations, review best practices for green infrastructure, and develop cost estimates. Once constructed, the greenway would serve as a major connector, linking neighbourhoods, low-income housing developments, parks and a major neighbourhood, and provide access to North Vancouver and Burnaby.

The funding will allow the City of Vancouver to make meaningful progress on expanding cycling and pedestrian infrastructure in East Vancouver, according to Ken Sim, mayor of Vancouver.

“Quality cycling and pedestrian infrastructure is a vital component of our commitments towards making Vancouver a 15 minute city and the most accessible city in the world. We want to thank the federal government for their spirit of collaboration in helping move this important active transportation initiative forward,” he said.

Nearly all the 27 projects will receive an investment between $40,000 and $50,000.

Canada’s National Active Transportation Strategy is the country’s first coast-to-coast-to-coast strategic approach for promoting active transportation and its benefits. The strategy’s aim is to make data-driven and evidence-based investments to build new and expanded active transportation networks and to create safe environments for more equitable, healthy, active and sustainable travel options to thrive.