Despite Sicamous council’s rezoning delay, the show must go on, and work has started on the Mara Lake section of the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail.
On March 28, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) announced that construction has begun at the 1.5 kilometre mark, just down from the controversial section located within Sicamous.
The day prior to that announcement, trail alliance consultant Phil McIntyre-Paul provided council an update at the Committee of the Whole meeting, confirming the project start.
“The District of Sicamous’ recent decision to delay rezoning hasn’t delayed construction, it’s just meant that it’s had to move,” he said.
McIntyre-Paul also assured council that “access to the northern section of the trail will remain closed until it is safe, and interim trailhead access is resolved.” He added that all current access points are fenced off, with signs posted.
This current work will develop the section between kilometre 1.5 to 4.5 in the regional district, and is anticipated to begin soon on areas to the south to kilometre 42.6 at Stepney Cross Road in Spallumcheen and incorporate the recently completed section in Enderby.
“Following the development of a hugely successful, two-kilometre pilot section in Enderby in 2023, the project is moving ahead rapidly with the Splatsin Development Corporation’s Yucwmenlúcwu (Caretakers of the Land) as the primary construction contractor,” the media release reads.
Rail trail owners – Splatsin, the CSRD and Regional District of the North Okanagan – are also working to raise the final funding needed for the project, which will include a pedestrian overpass on Highway 97A and construction from Stepney Cross to Lansdowne Road.
Once complete, the rail trail will cover just over 50 kilometres, and be mostly flat as it traverses lakefront shoreline, forested hills, rivers, farmland and rural towns. The finished surface will consist of crushed and compacted aggregate suitable for pedestrians, cyclists and universal mobility such as wheelchairs and electric scooters. No motorized vehicles or horses will be permitted, but leashed dogs will be allowed.
Further information can be found online at www.csrd.bc.ca.
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