City of Prince Rupert receives funding for Active Transportation planning

The Provincial government has awarded 20,000 dollars to the City of Prince Rupert towards the development of an Integrated Transportation Master Plan, the funding provided last week as part of a 400,000 dollar distribution of money province wide.

The announcement from Bowinn Ma, Minister of State for Infrastructure made note of the opportunities that communities have to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions by developing responsible travel options.

“Transportation accounts for well over one-third of greenhouse gas emissions in British Columbia, so enabling more environmentally and socially responsible modes of travel is a priority for our government. This funding will help local governments integrate their active transportation planning as part of their land-use planning and will provide long-term benefits to our communities, our health, the environment and local economies.”

The $20,000 available to Prince Rupert is full amount that is allocated towards municipalities of under 25,000 residents.

In a report for council, the city's contract planners from iPlan, made note of the opportunity for funding back in May, noting how the prospect of an Active Transportation Plan would be a natural follow up to the recently approved Official Community Plan. At that time, it was estimated that the Transportation plan would require between 50 and 70 thousand dollars to take on.

So far, Prince Rupert City Council has not made note of their success in securing the funding for their work ahead, or how it will assist their plans towards advancing transportation themes for the community. 

The desire for an Active Transportation Plan has long been a goal of the local group Complete Streets for Prince Rupert, which has been a strong advocat towards development of a wider range of transportation options for the community.

In addition to the City of Prince Rupert funding, the province has also directed money to North Coast Regional District, with 13,625 dollars to be put towards a Strategic Official Community Plan Policy Update for Active Transportation in District D, that includes much of the Masset area on Graham Island, Haida Gwaii.

The announcement and full list of where the province has directed the funding can be reviewed here.

More notes on Council Discussion themes is available here.