CORNWALL – Cyclists can rejoice as the city is receiving up to $325,000 to complete its so-called “urban loop” near Twelfth Street and McConnell Avenue.
The money is coming from the Ontario Municipal Cycling Infrastructure Program.
An application was made in November with the support of the Cornwall Multisport Club, Transition Cornwall +, Cornwall Triathlon and the Eastern Ontario Health Unit.
The project will connect the end of the bike path at Optimist Park and extend it along the Cedars Rapids Transmission line, under the McConnell Avenue overpass, to Virginia Drive.
The 2.4 kilometer path would connect with the bike lanes to the Cornwall Business Park.
The entire project is about $700,000 and the municipal share – about $375,000 – will be funded over two years.
The next section of the cycling network is part of the Cornwall Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.
“Our recreational path is an extremely popular amenity and these improvements will make it even more accessible to residents and visitors,” said John St. Marseille, General Manager, Infrastructure and Municipal Works.
Work is expected to begin this summer and by complete by the summer next year.
The city already has 36 kilometers of off-road cycling paths and 21 kilometers of on-street bike lanes.