Trail Plan
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Trail Map:
The 12 km trail will be off the highway along the right-of-way. At the Smithers end, it is planned to be along the west side of the highway. At about midway, it will cross the highway via an underpass and follow the east side of the highway to Telkwa.
Location
The planned Cycle 16 Trail will be located in the beautiful Bulkley Valley, which is in the Northwest of British Columbia, Canada.
The trail will link the two communities of Smithers and Telkwa to provide a safe means of non-motorized travel.
Concept Design
In the spring of 2017, McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd. was hired to explore possible trail routes. They reported three possible routes. At that time, the Cycle 16 Board, in consultation with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Design Team, opted for the route that included a bridge. See report below for more details. The Board has since opted to consider both the overpass and the underpass option. In 2021, for cost and winter maintenance reasons, the Regional District and the Ministry of Transportation, decided on the underpass option.
In the summer of 2018, McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd. was again hired to provide a more detailed concept design of a challenging elevation change in Phase 1 of the project. Phase 1 begins at the Bulkley River bridge by the Riverside Par 3 and RV Park and ends at Laidlaw Rd.
Public Consultation
In the spring of 2021, the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako sought feedback from the public about the Cycle 16 non-motorized trail plans. Visit the Regional District’s website . Individuals could view the plans for Phase 1 and provide feedback. The RDBN will be the eventual owners of the trail when it is built. Cycle 16 will play a support role in the operation and maintenance of the trail.
Detailed Construction Design
In June of 2020, Allan Kindrat P.Eng, PMP, of WSP, was hired on as Project Manager. Allan worked closely with the Stakeholders, pulling many pieces together and in August 2021, completed the Detailed Construction Design. In March 2022, Canyon Contracting of Terus Construction was hired on to build the trail. In June 2022, under Allan’s direction as Project Manager, construction of Phase 1 began. Terus Construction worked through the summer into the fall. Final details were completed in May of 2023.
Three Phases
Phase 1: Smithers Bridge to Babine Lake Road, 3.7 kilometers. The construction was completed in May 2023 and celebrated with a well attended Grand Opening on June 10, 2023 – one year to the day after the Groundbreaking Celebration. Big thanks to WSP and Project Manager, Allan Kindrat as well as Canyon Contracting of Terus Construction Ltd. , RDBN, MoTI and the many other supporters. The trail is paved and includes a center line.
Phase 2: Babine Lake Road to the highway rest area between Donaldson Road and Raymond Road, 3.6 kilometres. This will involve an underpass crossing of Highway 16 . It is in the Detailed Design phase. Topographical surveys, archaeological investigations and detailed designs are well underway.
Phase 3: Highway rest area to Midway Gas Station, ~3.5 kilometers. Phase 3 is the current priority as it is less complex than Phase 2.
Because of some infrastucture replacement work, the Village of Telkwa has taken on the remainder of the proposed trail to Tyhee Market. The Village will also be continuing the trail to Eddy Park to join up with the existing trail along the river. Cycle 16 is grateful for the Village’s support and commitment to the trail project.
Working in Collaboration With:
Help make this legacy trail a reality!
To get involved, we invite you to learn more about becoming a member or donating to the society.