CORNWALL, Ontario – Cornwall’s popular off-road recreational path is being expanded by nearly three kilometres in the area of McConnell Avenue and Virginia Drive.
The work, scheduled to be completed this summer, will see the recreational path at Optimist Park extended eastward under the McConnell Avenue overpass and onward to Virginia Drive.
“This project marks the next step in creating an ‘urban loop’ of our off-road recreational path,” said John St. Marseille, General Manager, Infrastructure and Municipal Works. “Our long-term plan calls for further extensions of the path along Virginia Drive and the area south of Nick Kaneb Drive. Once that’s completed, our recreational path will be entirely connected.”
The City secured funding through the Ontario Municipal Cycling Infrastructure Fund to help complete this current phase of work, which is being undertaken by Cornwall Gravel Co. Ltd.
Including this latest addition, Cornwall’s off-road recreational path is approximately 40 kilometres long, running along the entire waterfront as well as through the central and western portions of the City.
Cornwall was recently recognized for its efforts in promoting active forms of transportation by being designated a Bronze level Bicycle Friendly Community by the Share the Road Cycling Coalition. The designation was attributed in large part to the community’s progress in establishing a growing network of on and off-road cycling paths, strong community partnerships to support cycling and a growing cycling culture.
At a recent City Council meeting, Council endorsed a plan to apply for funding through the Ontario Municipal Commuter Cycling Program to complete additional cycling-related projects in 2018. The funding would be used to establish new on-street bicycle lanes on various streets to further connect the City’s existing cycling network. The work is based on recommendations contained in the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.
