Government funding will be used to create a plan for the final piece of the Active Transportation Rails to Trails network, which is part of the Blue Route provincial cycling network.

Kings South MLA Keith Irving, on behalf of Energy Minister Michel Samson, announced today, Nov. 21, that the Town of Kentville will receive funding from the province’s sustainable transportation grant program, Connect2, for a downtown bike lane plan.

“Towns and villages in the Valley continue to move forward on creating a terrific cycling network between communities,” said Mr. Irving. “I am pleased that this important section of trail through the heart of Kentville will soon be a reality.”

With a $7,000 grant from Connect2, its own matching funds, and in-kind support from Bicycle Nova Scotia, the Town of Kentville will complete its Downtown Connector Plan.

“Encouraging an active, healthy lifestyle for our residents and visitors is a priority for the Town of Kentville,” said Mayor Sandra Snow. “This plan brings us another step closer to connecting our trail system through the downtown core which will not only promote the use of active transportation but also encourage tourism in our shopping district.”

“The Town of Kentville is a community that truly values opportunities for residents to enjoy active lifestyles and transportation options,” said Ben Buckwold, director of bikeways and Blue Route implementation, Bicycle Nova Scotia. “We are thrilled to see this project advance a critical link in the local active transportation network, and an important piece of the Blue Route network.”

Connect2 is intended to create and promote active transportation options for trips of two kilometres or less between community hubs in rural and urban parts of the province.

More projects will be announced in the coming weeks, and all will be completed by March 10, 2017.

For more information, visit novascotia.ca/sustainabletransportation/.

Source: Release