Two projects will enhance the Green Necklace in North Vancouver

The City of North Vancouver has approved two projects to improve walkability and livability — pedestrian-scale lighting and an enhanced bicycle and pedestrian connection.

In a meeting last month, the council approved $750,000 for pedestrian-scale lighting for the Green Necklace project through the Grand Boulevard Park. The 1.5-kilometre centre pathway of the Green Necklace through Grand Boulevard Park is used by more than 500 people per day, according to the staff.

The project would involve installing lighting along the centre path of the greenway, which will address residents’ safety concerns by creating a comfortable walking experience after dusk and in all seasonal conditions, the staff told the council in a recent meeting.

“The installation of pedestrian-scale lighting will address residents’ concerns about the lack of lighting in Grand Boulevard Park and will contribute to the overall livability and walkability of the city,” says a staff report.

While the estimated cost for the lighting is $750,000, the staff said it was a preliminary cost estimate, and actual project cost would be refined through the design process. The city hopes to complete the installation by fall. There is a possibility of some temporary detours for which there will be signage in place.

The council approved another project involving the Green Necklace greenway. It approved the St. David’s Avenue Greenway project which is designed to provide an enhanced bicycle and pedestrian connection from the waterfront-oriented Spirit Trail to the Green Necklace Greenway in Central Lonsdale.

Following St. David’s Avenue, the greenway would extend 860 metres from Alder Street to East Keith Road. It would enhance the alternative transportation route to parks, schools and other community amenities, so as to support the redeveloping of East 3rd Street and Moodyville neighbourhoods, says a staff report.

The initial portion of the greenway, from Alder Street to East 2nd Street, was constructed in 2009 as part of the initial Spirit Trail alignment. More portions of the greenways will be completed in conjunction with development in Moodyville.

The city is also installing traffic signals along the East 3rd Street corridor to allow traffic from the proposed developments in the Moodyville Development Permit Area to access and egress East 3rd Street.

The new lights would provide a safe pedestrian crossing of a major arterial road, the staff told the council, and be helpful for future rapid transit on East 3rd Street by allowing signal priority for transit vehicles at intersections.

The introduction of signals along the East 3rd Street corridor will allow for transit priority to support faster transit service.