NORTH COAST – New Democrat MLA Jennifer Rice says people in Skidegate and Queen Charlotte will soon benefit from better active transportation infrastructure that will safely connect neighbourhoods to parks, schools, and town centres.

“We’re working to safely connect more communities here in the North through new active transportation infrastructure,” said Jennifer Rice, MLA for North Coast. “People will soon be able to go cycling, walking, or running on the new 12.5-km multi-use route between Skidegate and Queen Charlotte, giving people better access to cleaner and more efficient ways of getting around.”

The Skidegate First Nation and the Village of Queen Charlotte is receiving $213,633 in cost-shared funding to build the Skidegate-Queen Charlotte Multi-Use Commuter Route, a 12.5-km bicycle/pedestrian route along Highway 16 between Skidegate and Queen Charlotte.

The community is one of 33 Indigenous and local governments across the province are receiving funding for shovel-ready projects that will increase the number of people walking and cycling as well as improve the safety of vulnerable road users. The projects are aligned with provincial priorities to enhance community connectivity, accessibility, tourism, and climate change mitigation.

Making active transportation more accessible for people is central to Move. Commute. Connect., B.C.’s comprehensive strategy to make local transportation safer, greener, and more accessible for all British Columbians. $36 million is committed to this program over the next three years, with nearly $12.7 million in Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants being awarded in 2021.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021TRAN0135-001815