Cape Breton Regional Municipality Grand Lake Road Multi Use Path
Type of initiative
FCM Green Municipal Fund - Capital Project
Sector
Transportation
Project value$3,000,000
Project Type
Capital Project
Sub Sector
Active Transportation
Grant amount$100,000
Program type
GMF
Municipality
Cape Breton Regional Municipality, NS
Loan amount$1,000,000
Status
Fully Disbursed
Population
93,694
Project timeline
2014 - 2018
Project number
13089
Description
Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) will construct a 10-kilometre long multi-use path linking its two largest communities, Sydney and Glace Bay, with its largest educational institution, Cape Breton University, which is located between the two. The new path will provide cyclists, pedestrians and in-line skaters with a safe alternative transportation route along a corridor currently served only by Grand Lake Road, a four-lane highway with heavy traffic. The multi-use path will remove 1,240 vehicles from the road, for an anticipated 7,936,000 vehicle kilometres avoided per year, which is equivalent to an anticipated GHG reduction of 1,561,804.8 kg CO2e per year. The project is well supported by the local communities and will be guided by an advisory committee composed of representatives from the provincial departments of transportation and health and wellness, Velo Cape Breton (a local cycling club), Cape Breton University, the Mayflower Mall, the Cape Breton District Health Authority and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The pathway is expected to stimulate economic growth by increasing interaction between the communities and the university. When complete, the path will be the longest paved bike path in Nova Scotia, and will serve as an example for active transportation projects for other municipalities. (Project description from original funding application)
Project results
- 4 tonnes of GHG emissions avoided
- 52 GJ of energy savings per year
Environmental outcomes
- Reduced or avoided GHG emissions
- Promotion of eco-friendly transportation
Social outcomes
- Protection/improvement of public human health
- Increased public safety and security
- Greater civic pride and ownership
- Increased social inclusion
Economic outcomes
- Innovative financing
- Local spending/consumption
- Use of feasibility tools
- Improved demand management
- Partnership development
Lessons learned
- Council support/buy-in
- Communication & coordination
- Data and reporting
- Resources
- External factors
- Technical – Project specific
Applicant
Cape Breton Regional Municipality, NS