On Saturday, September 27, 2014, the District of Sooke celebrated the official opening of “Wadams Way”, a newly constructed east-west connector road that will help to ease traffic congestion through the Sooke town centre and includes a safe and accessible multi-use trail.
The district received a $250,000 grant through British Columbia’s Community Recreation Program to help build the Wadams Way multi-use trail adjacent to the new road, which improves pedestrian linkages through the town centre. The total cost for the trail construction was approximately $450,000.
“The completion of this new multi-use trail is great news,” said Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. “The accessible features of this trail give this community an inviting place for residents and visitors to tread, while supporting healthy, active living opportunities for British Columbians of all ages and abilities.”
The project scope included approximately 500 metres of new road between Church Road and Otter Point Road, including road connections and related infrastructure to Townsend Road, Anna Marie Road and the Sooke Child, Youth & Family Centre. Approximately 700 metres of three metre wide paved multi-use trail was constructed along Church Road and along the new Wadams Way. Environmentally friendly LED street lighting has been installed alongside the trail as well as a bioswale and 16 new street trees to complement the existing greenery.
“It’s wonderful to see this project’s completion,” said Mayor Wendal Milne. “One of Council’s strategic priorities is to make the Town Centre a vibrant, clean and well-maintained node, and with the completion of the Wadams Way connector, we have improved transportation flow and pedestrian safety throughout the Town Centre.”
The provincial $30-million Community Recreation Program was developed to help local governments meet the costs of capital projects that make communities healthier, more active places in which to live.