Mobility, Accessibility and Safety Improvement Projects

WHAT’S NEW IN 2024?


There are many historically built segments of the transportation network that remain inaccessible. Moving forward, the City’s new Complete Streets Standards will ensure that new roadway projects will be built to an accessible standard through the capital program. However, through a series of retrofits every year, short term lower cost improvements to accessibility can be realized earlier than if the improvements were absorbed into longer term, high cost capital projects.

 

This spring and summer, you will see a number of these small-scale mobility, accessibility and safety improvements around Nanaimo. Designers are busy designing and crews have started constructing. Some of the improvements you may see around include: 

 

    CONSTRUCTION UPDATES:

    • '2021 Mobility Improvement' Contract with Milestone Equipment Contracting Inc. reached Substantial Completion
    • '2022 Mobility Improvement' Contracts have been awarded to David Stalker Excavating Ltd.
      • Construction is expected to start Summer 2023.

       

      STAY CONNECTED:

      1. Watch for us on Social Media: Follow @cityofnanaimo on Facebook and Twitter.
      2. Email us: At any time at  transportationinfo@nanaimo.ca
      3. Call us: 250-755-4460, Ext. 4385.
       

      Summary

      • Progress

        PROJECT LOCATIONS:

        2024/2025 Upgrades:

        • Georgia Slow Street
        • Various Bus Stops Around Nanaimo

         

        2023/2024 Upgrades:

        • Departure Bay at Highland Blvd - Sidewalk Extension
        • Fitzwilliam & Selby - TWSIs & Pedestrian Flashers
        • Townsite & Holly - Raised Crosswalk, Curb Ramps, TWSIs, Refuge Island, & Pedestrian Flashers
        • Franklyn & Selby - Curb Extensions, Curb Ramps, & TWSIs
        • Applecross & Calinda - Curb Ramps, TWSIs, Refuge Island, & Pedestrian Flashers
        • Departure Bay & Barons Road - Curb Ramps, TWSIs, Refuge Island, & Pedestrian Flashers
        • Departure Bay (Montrose to Loat): Buffered Bikelane
        • Various Bus Stops Around Nanaimo


          2021/2022 Upgrades: 

           

          2020/2021 Upgrades:  

          • Victoria Crescent Pedestrian Improvements & Cavan Street - Esplanade Road Rehab
          • Haliburton Multi-use Path
          • St George & Waddington Road - Curb Extensions, Sidewalks, and Ped Flashers
        • Documents

          PLANNING DOCUMENTS

          Council’s 2019-2022 Strategic Plan and the Nanaimo Transportation Master Plan emphasize the importance of accessibility and inclusion in the transportation system.

          Through consultation with the Council's Advisory Committee on Acessibility (ACAI), and through targeted REIMAGINE NANAIMO engagement with people living with limited mobility, opportunities for improving transportation accessibility in Nanaimo were identified.
        • Details

          Mobility & Accessibility Projects FAQ

          Q1: How are decisions made and locations chosen?

          Capital Improvements can be identified for active transportation upgrades, pavement renewal, water distribution system replacement, stormwater management upgrades, street-lighting upgrades, and accessibly improvements.

          As part of the decision-making process decisions are made based on three components:

          • Technical Requirements - what infrastructure best meets the area's needs, where it can fit, and what impacts it will have to the immediate and surrounding area
          • City Policies - how City initiatives and activities are implemented
          • Public Input - local knowledge of the community

            Q2: What kind of accessibility features will the designed and constructed for more vulnerable road users?

            • Tactile warning surface indicators at all crosswalks and bus stops to aid the visually impaired.
            • Curb ramps and raised crossings may be incorporated to provide a safer and more consistent surface for wheel chairs and other wheeled modes.
            • Guardian wave technology may be installed at intersections. 

            Q3: What safety features can the designs include?

            Q4: When will these improvements be built?

            • Once projects are identified, the process of surveying, designing, and tendering takes 1-2 years.
            • The 2020 Pedestrian Mobility & Accessibility Improvement Designs were constructed in 2021.
            • The 2021 Pedestrian Mobility & Accessibility Improvement Designs will be constructed in 2022.
            • The 2022 Pedestrian Mobility & Accessibility Improvement Designs will likely be constructed in 2023/2024.


          • Background
            Each year the City of Nanaimo undertakes capital improvement projects driven by growth, development, asset management, and other priority-based frameworks. As part of the City’s strategic planning process the 5-year Capital Plan identifies these projects and where possible combines those of similar scope and proximity to achieve economy of scale and a comprehensive product. 

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