Construction is expected to begin within the next few weeks on the third phase of the Town of Antigonish’s Active Transportation Trail, but Mayor Sean Cameron says he has significant reservations about the project’s long-term vision and its proposed final phase.
The Town recently awarded the contract for Phase Three to B.D. Clifton Contracting Limited. The work will connect the existing Active Transportation Trail on West Street along St. Ninian Street to Church Street. Construction is expected to take approximately eight weeks, with completion anticipated by early September.
While Cameron says he believes the trail’s design falls short of what an active transportation network should accomplish.
“[It] should be through the wooded areas away from traffic, so you can connect neighbourhoods to schools and recreation facilities similar to what the Town of Port Hawkesbury has in their trail system,” Cameron said. “Ours, you’re right beside a road. Basically, all we’re doing is taking an existing sidewalk and making it wider.“
His main concern centers on the fourth and final phase of the trail, which is proposed to cross the floodplain near Brierly Brook and Columbus Field.
“The biggest challenges will be coming when we have to cross the salt flats. They’re called that because they flood… that is a floodplain. So, there’s a lot of issues involved around that one. That’s probably the most challenging. So that’s probably why it’s the last section to be completed.“
However, the mayor did acknowledge the project will offer one important benefit.
“It’s great for people with mobility issues because you’re going to get that nice smooth asphalt surface… you won’t have those bumps from every panel of concrete,” he said.
Antigonish Town Council has asked the province what financial implications the municipality would face if it chose to pause or halt construction of the final section.
“We identified in that letter the fact that we’re going to be building a trail on the floodplain. So, you’re looking at erosion, you’re looking at the roads being undermined… there’s a lot of issues,” said Cameron.
Council still voted 4-2 to proceed with the current phase while awaiting a response from the province.
