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Vol. 120, Issue 148
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PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Trail lands large grant
EYE-CATCHING SIGNAGE
Ministry earmarks $800,000 for pedestrian part of bridge BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
Fresh from working through red tape to get the walking bridge built, the City of Trail is about to receive some serious green from the province - $800,000, in fact. “That is fantastic news,” Trail Mayor Mike Martin said when contacted by the Trail Times Monday morning. (Martin and Trail council members are in Vancouver this week attending the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities conference.) “Fantastic news and what great timing.” All along the city has maintained building a footbridge across the Columbia River is a green project – because no cars means no additional carbon emissions from vehicles. The province agreed, and through BikeBC, the city is receiving the largest piece of the program's $6 million funding to expand and build cycling lanes, trail and paths for cyclists and pedestrians. The $800,000 grant is described as the Trail pipe/pedestrian bridge, a 3.8 metre wide, 280metre long multi-use bridge along the Trans Canada Trail (TCT). The money was granted for the pedestrian platform only, not for the new sewer line. The province has phenomenal cycling corridors and B.C. has to do a better job creating cycling tours, Todd Stone told the Trail Times in March. During the interview, the Transport Minister assured that the city would not be left behind in the province's 10-year B.C. on the Move transportation plan. He noted a 50 per cent increase to BikeBC, saying priorities included partnering with communities to build new bike lanes and trails as well as better safety for cyclist pedalling provincial highways. See GRANT, Page 8
GUY BERTRAND PHOTO
Members from the Youth Community Development Centre on Second Ave. in East Trail were putting their artistic talents to work on Sunday as they completed a colourful mural to highlight the local youth gathering spot.
Meetings reveal tax implications of pipe bridge BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
After years of campaigning to keep the Old Trail Bridge open to at least pedestrians, Trail resident John Carter graciously accepted defeat last week. Carter was among 29 people who gathered in Trail council chambers Thursday for a public consultation about construction of the $14.5 million pipe/pedestrian bridge. The open session was information-only but provided a sounding board for resi-
dents to clarify details about the upcoming multi-million dollar project. Following the city's presentation which provided background and rationale, Carter approached the podium. “I accept defeat,” he said. Then, with applause from the gallery, Carter shook hands with the Trail Mayor Mike Martin. The 104-year old bridge has been decommissioned for about five years but the regional sewer interceptor line still hangs from the structure. The decision to relocate the utility
Visit Waneta Expansion’s
Legacy DispLay
At the Ft. Shepherd Viewing Area Located along Highway 22A, between the Trail Regional Airport and the Waneta border crossing.
fell to the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) East End Sewer Committee. Partners in Trail, Rossland and Warfield reached consensus last fall that included a $4.2 million agreement for an aerial pipeline to carry waste across the Columbia River to the sewage treatment plant in Waneta. Fast forward to one month ago, when bids for the new sewer line came in well above budget. A whirlwind of talks ensued because of the time crunch associated with the lowest tendering bid from Calgary-
based Graham Infrastructure LP. Then two weeks ago, the three parties agreed to increase the regional loan by $3 million to get the job done. Before the $7.2 million loan authorization is passed by the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, all three municipalities were mandated to host public meetings and reveal tax impacts. Trail taxpayers will foot about 63 per cent of the sewer service cost, or $4.5 million. See WARFIELD, Page 3
Contact the Times: Phone: FineLine250-368-8551 Technologies 62937 Index 9 Fax:JN866-897-0678 80% 1.5 BWR NU Newsroom: 250-364-1242 Canada Post, Contract number 42068012