Upgrades to Terminal Avenue in Nanaimo have the green light from city council after they voted to increase the project budget by over $1 million.
According to a media release, the upgrades are critical to make the downtown core safe, more welcoming, and attractive to residents and visitors. The upgrades will include more lighting, better crosswalks, landscaping, and traffic signals.
The city says officials are hoping residents will take advantage of the increased ability for more active transportation by supporting safe crossings to business districts and adding improvements to the crossing at Esplanade Street connecting the downtown cycling loop.
Mayor Leonard Krog says cleaning up the downtown core should stimulate the tourist experience while improving public safety.
“With a new downtown hotel next to the Vancouver Island Conference Center, and a passenger ferry to Vancouver opening in August, more visitors will experience Nanaimo for the first time,” Krog said.
“Increased lighting, natural sight lines, a barrier to discourage people from crossing Terminal [Avenue] unsafely, and more pleasant surroundings will encourage movement through the area.”
The city is planning to start the project early next month and it is expected to be completed in late spring 2024.
