Regional Trestles Renewal, Trails Widening and Lighting Project
Project Type
Construction
Project Status
Current
The Capital Regional District (CRD) is upgrading key sections of the Galloping Goose and Lochside Regional Trails to support growing demand. These popular multi-use trails now welcome over 3.8 million visits each year, with usage expected to increase by 2.5% annually. Approximately 80% of trail users are cyclists and 20% are pedestrians. As traffic volumes increase, particularly in urban areas, so do the differences in speed between users, resulting in more frequent conflicts and growing safety concerns. Widening and lighting these busy sections of our regional trail system will help improve safety, reduce conflicts, and create more comfortable and accessible conditions.
Trail improvements include:
Renewing the Brett, Selkirk, and Swan Lake trestles
Widening up to 4 km of the Galloping Goose Regional Trail between Selkirk Trestle and Grange Road (adjacent to McKenzie Avenue)
Widening 2 km of the Lochside Regional Trail between the Switch Bridge and McKenzie Avenue/Borden Street
Adding energy-efficient lighting for visibility and safety
Most of the upgraded sections will feature a 6.5 metre-wide separated pathway, with 4.0 metres for cycling and 2.5 metres for walking, plus a 0.6m shoulder on both sides.
The Regional Trestles Renewal, Trails Widening and Lighting Project is being led by the CRD in collaboration with municipalities, First Nations, provincial and federal partners, environmental consultants, and engineering specialists. The CRD is also working closely with community organizations and accessibility advocates to ensure the project reflects diverse community needs.
Project Timeline
2023–2025: Design Phase – Includes technical design work, environmental review, permitting, and coordination with partners
2024–2025: Pre-construction work on the Selkirk Trestle (COMPLETED)
2026: Construction begins on the Galloping Goose between Selkirk Trestle and Grange Road
Through 2028: Construction continues in phases, including 2 km of the Lochside Trail between the Switch Bridge and McKenzie Avenue/Borden Street and re-surfacing of the Selkirk Trestle
Project Funding
Funding includes support from the provincial Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program and the Growing Communities Fund, alongside CRD capital funding. The CRD continues to pursue additional partnerships, grants, and non-tax revenue to support the project.
What to Expect
Temporary Closures: Trail sections will close during construction. Detours will be clearly marked, accessible, and communicated in advance. Cyclists and pedestrians may be routed differently for comfort and safety.
Improved Lighting: Lighting will enhance visibility at underpasses, intersections, and trailheads. In places like Swan Lake, low-intensity lighting or reflectors will be used to protect wildlife.
Environmental Awareness: The CRD is working with environmental experts, geotechnical engineers, archaeologists, and Indigenous cultural monitors to protect natural and cultural features throughout the project. Protecting natural ecosystems is a priority. Trail and lighting designs are informed by ecological sensitivity, especially in areas like Swan Lake. Construction methods will aim to minimize disruption to wildlife, vegetation, and waterways, with oversight from environmental professionals and cultural monitors.
Accessibility and Universal Design
The upgraded trails will follow universal design principles to support safe, inclusive access for all users, whether on foot, on wheels, or using mobility aids. Detours during construction will also aim to maintain accessibility wherever possible.
Trail Etiquette and Safety
To help everyone stay safe and enjoy the trails:
Keep right and pass on the left
Use your voice or bell to alert others when passing
Travel at a safe speed, especially in busy areas
Watch for signs and follow posted detour instructions
The Galloping Goose and Lochside Regional Trails currently average 3.8 million visits annually, and the CRD predicts that trail user volumes will increase significantly due to trends in population growth and a shift toward active transportation and healthy lifestyles. Trail use is currently comprised of approximately 80% Cyclists and 20% pedestrians. Increased user volumes and transportation modes have led to increased user conflicts in urban trail sections. User conflict has been recognized as a pressing issue that is expected to grow without a change to trail design.
This project aims to:
Create safer, more comfortable conditions for all trail users.
Accommodate an increase in use over the next 20 years.
Help the region meet its targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting active transportation.
Improve safety and visibility by lighting key locations such as underpasses.
Renew three trestles nearing the end of their serviceable life.
The proposed design is based on active transportation design guidelines and best practices and will accommodate an anticipated increase in trail users. This design is favoured because the capital cost is lower and there are fewer environmental impacts anticipated during construction compared to a wider trail design.
The Regional Trails Widening Study completed in 2020 recommends lighting be installed at key intervals along the trails to increase safety and visibility. This approach is also recommended in the BC Active Transportation Design Guide.
Low-intensity lights or reflectors are proposed adjacent to natural areas, such as Swan Lake, to minimize potential impacts on wildlife.
Hard-wired LED (light emitting diode) light sources are proposed as they represent an energy consumption savings over conventional lighting options, allow for improved light control and light output, have a long life span and include a variety of colour temperatures.
Trail widening and lighting improvement construction will take place in a phased approach from 2024 to 2029. Pre-construction work to rehabilitate structural elements below the Selkirk Trestle was completed in April 2025. The next phase of construction will take place on the Galloping Goose between Gorge Rd E and Culduthel in spring 2025.
As part of any capital project, the CRD aims to protect significant natural and cultural heritage features and minimize impacts to the greatest degree possible. The CRD will engage with environmental, geotechnical and archaeological consultants in the planning and design stages to identify sensitive environmental, cultural and geological attributes and measures to avoid disturbance during construction. The CRD will also work with Indigenous cultural monitors to mitigate potential impacts to cultural heritage sites.
As sections identified in this project are active commuter corridors, the CRD will strive to minimize closure durations and establish detours where and when necessary to ensure continuity of use.
In February 2021, the CRD Board directed staff to conduct an expedited public engagement on the 6.5m separated use pathway design with lighting and implementation priorities, including consideration of low-intensity lighting in the trail segment adjacent to Swan Lake.
As a result, public engagement was conducted between May 25 and June 13, 2021. First Nations, government and agencies were also invited to provide input. A number of tools and approaches were used to provide information about the project, to gather views and opinions, and to discuss community interests. Find the Public Engagement Report here [PDF/1.2MB].
Consultation with First Nations, government partners, and other stakeholders continues as the project progresses, with updates and opportunities for input provided at each phase.
Extensive public engagement in 2021 showed strong support for the separated pathway and lighting.
The total project budget is $53.5 million, secured mainly through debt, with additional grants and partnerships being pursued. Recent funding includes $500,000 from the Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program (March 2024) and $1.9 million from the Growing Communities Fund (September 2023).
Last Updated:
Territorial Acknowledgement
The CRD conducts its business within the Territories of many First Nations, all of whom have a long-standing relationship with the land and waters from time immemorial that continues to this day. Statement of Reconciliation
