Public Engagement: Shared Use Path Planning

People running, walking and cycling on a shared use path, with a tree and green grass in the background.

The City is building a comprehensive active transportation network. For 2023, public engagement is open for three projects:

A shared-use path upgrade and extension from Airport Heights via Penny Crescent and Torbay Road to the Paul Reynolds Community Centre.
A new shared-use path connection along Columbus Drive from Canada Drive, across Waterford Bridge Road to connect to the T’railway in Bowring Park.
A shared use path from Portugal Cove Road to Logy Bay Road via MacDonald Drive and Tupper Laurier Park.

In addition to public engagement on three new paths, construction will proceed in 2023 and 2024 on several other shared-use path projects outlined below. When these ongoing projects are completed, they will contribute 10 km of shared-use paths.

“I am very excited about the progress we are making on building an active transportation network that is accessible to all ages and abilities,” said Councillor Ian Froude, council representative on the Sustainable and Active Mobility Advisory Committee. “I encourage everyone in the city, regardless of how you travel, to learn more about our plans to design our communities in a way that supports active transportation, and to participate in the public engagement process.”

Further details can be found at EngageStJohns.ca. Opportunities to participate in public engagement include:

A virtual meeting on Thursday, June 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
In-person neighbourhood meetings:
- Tue. June 20 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Paul Reynolds Community Centre
- Wed. June 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Bowring Park Foundation Lodge
- Thu. June 22 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at MacDonald Drive Elementary School
Email feedback to staff at engage@stjohns.ca
Call Access St. John’s at 311 or (709) 754-CITY, to speak to a member of the project team

As we consult with people in the community ahead of the design process on these sections of the shared-use path network, multiple projects are moving on to the construction phase this year:

Elizabeth Avenue - Construction includes a complete street re-build with a new shared-use path on the north side of the street from Allandale Road to Westerland Road in 2023, and construction from Westerland Road to Paton Street in 2024.
Kelly’s Brook Trail - The shared-use path will ultimately link Kings Bridge Road to Columbus Drive, construction for this year will run from Carpasian Road to Kelly Brook Park.
Canada Drive - Construction for the shared-use path will connect from Columbus Drive to Hamlyn Road in 2023. Construction from Hamlyn Road to Cowan Avenue is scheduled for 2024. This project is a complete street re-build with a new shared-use path from Columbus Drive that will connect to the Team Gushue shared-use path to Mount Pearl in the future.
Columbus Drive - There are two small sections along Columbus Drive where construction will expand the existing shared-use path in the area. A shared-use path will be constructed at the overpass connection between Wexford Street and Wishingwell Road. A second shared-use path extension will be constructed from Captain Whelan Drive to Canada Drive.

Once construction is completed in the areas listed above, approximately 10 km of new shared-use paths will be added to the network, building on the existing 24 km of bike routes already in place.

Visit the city’s map centre to see the various sections of trail and how they create a connected network.

Where possible, the city is including design and construction work to other road and rehabilitation projects which reduces the overall cost and avoids future tear up. It also taps into existing federal and provincial cost-sharing agreements to reduce costs to the city.

There are many other sections of the shared-use path network that the City will continue to work on in the coming years, with future public engagement opportunities to be announced.

The City of St. John’s is committed to building a balanced transportation network to get people and goods where they want to go safely. Construction and design of shared-use paths that advance the Bike Master Plan are projects identified in the Our City, Our Future Strategic Plan under the goal to expand and maintain a safe and accessible active transportation network.

Public Engagement: Shared Use Path Planning

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