emailE&N Rail Trail-Humpback Connector
A Green Corridor
Stretching from historic Johnson Street Bridge in Victoria to the majestic forest around Humpback Road in Langford, the Esquimalt and Nanaimo (E&N) Rail Trail-Humpback Connector promises to be a vibrant, green pathway connecting downtown Victoria with the West Shore. Built within the existing E&N rail corridor, the region's only "Rail-With-Trail" will meander through developing communities and urban settings, and over salmon-filled streams, while allowing rail service to continue on the rail line itself. Along the way, the E&N will connect with the popular Galloping Goose Regional Trail.
Trail Vision
The proposed E&N Rail Trail - Humpback Connector will be a multi-use path connecting Victoria, Esquimalt, View Royal and Langford. Residents and tourists who set out on the trail will encounter a wide range of terrain as they travel through rural, urban and suburban environments.The trail will eventually join the Trans Canada Trail near Humpback Road in Langford.
The E&N Rail Trail - Humpback Connector will feature a well-designed alternate transportation route with appropriate crossings. Since the width of the corridor itself ranges from 15 to 30 metres wide, we envisage a three to four metre trail. Where the corridor is wide enough, there will be a natural separation between the trail and rail operations. Where the corridor is narrower, we will construct physical barriers to separate the two uses.
Proposed Project Timeline
2000
CRD Board members set the vision for the corridor to connect downtown Victoria to Langford in the CRD Parks Master Plan.
April 2007
The Island Corridor Foundation agrees to lease its land to the CRD for the development of the trail.
Summer 2007
CRD Board members approve the project.
Fall 2007 to Spring 2009
Engineering and design aspects of the project are developed.
Summer to Fall 2009
Tendering for trail and bridge construction for phase 1.
Fall 2009 to 2012
Construction of the trail and bridges for phase 1.
Phase one consists of five construction projects:
- Galloping Goose paving from Atkins to Wale roads: 2.5 km. Complete.
- Trail construction Selwyn Ave. to Jacklin Ave.: 1.8 km new rail trail. Complete.
- Bridge construction including trail bridges (Hereward Road, Island Highway at Four-MIle Hill, and Helmcken Road). Complete.
- Trail construction from Esquimalt Rd. to Admirals/Colville intersection: 2.5 km of new rail trail. September 2010 to 2012.
- Trail construction from Admirals/Colville intersection to Island Highway: 2.3 km of new rail trail. Planning and design underway.
Completion 2012
The target date for completion of phase 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the E&N Rail Trail - Humpback Connector?
The E&N (Esquimalt and Nanaimo) rail trail - Humpback Connector is a cycling and walking pathway that will be built within the E&N rail corridor from the Johnson Street bridge in Victoria to Humpback Road in Langford.
What is the proposed route of the trail?
)Who is involved in building the trail?
CRD Regional Parks, along with its municipal partners in Victoria, Esquimalt, View Royal, Langford and Colwood, along with BC Transit. The CRD is also working with the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations.
How much will it cost?
The entire project is estimated at $36 million. The CRD currently has $14.3 million in available funding and has applied to the federal and provincial governments for additional funding.
Where is the money coming from?
The project is funded from the federal gas tax fund, BC LocalMotion Fund, Recreational Infrastructure Canada program, Bike BC program and the CRD.
When and where will the trail be built?
The trail will be constructed in a phased approach as funding allows. Construction of phase 1 will begin this fall of a 14.3-kilometre contiguous route from the Johnson Street Bridge in the City of Victoria to Jacklin Road in the City of Langford. Phase 1 will comprise the rail trail, cycling lanes and sections of municipal roads in the City of Victoria, Town of View Royal, City of Colwood and City of Langford. The goal is to have phase 1 of the trail in place by 2012. Future sections of the Rail Trail, built entirely within the E&N right of way, will be constructed as funding becomes available.
Will the Rail Trail connect to current trails such as the Galloping Goose?
Yes. The corridor will connect with the Galloping Goose Regional Trail at the Atkins Road parking lot to Wale Road. Future municipal and community trail systems will also connect with the rail trail.
How will you ensure safety if the trail is beside a train?
There are dozens of successful "Rail-With-Trail" projects throughout North America. Where the corridor is wide enough there will be a natural separation between the trail and the rail operations. Where the corridor is narrower, there will be physical barriers to separate the two uses.
Will there be commuter trains added to the rail line?
Studies are underway to determine the market, feasibility and cost to implement a commuter rail service on the rail line by the Ministry of Transportation and BC Transit. Those studies will determine whether there will be commuter trains on the rail line.
