An upcoming portion of the Multi-Use Path is proving to be an engineering challenge as the pathway continues to progress across the island.
The Multi-Use Path (MUP) currently runs from its origin point at Trunk Road and Cardena Drive to about 60 metres beyond the entrance to Artisan Lane on the north side of Grafton Road. For the next section up to Charlie’s Lane about 300 metres is set for construction, and needs to start in the next few months to take advantage of available grants, explained engineering director Patrick Graham. Beyond that though the path runs into some geographic issues because of nearby Terminal Creek.
“The rest of the way really can’t be built on the north side of Grafton Road because of the terrain, it can’t be built through the ravine,” said Graham last week about the path’s current trajectory. “So we do need to realign Grafton Road, that requires some rock removal on the south side of the road and requires more funding than we currently have,” he told council. This work would involve the road being widened by about three metres on the south side to make enough room for the MUP to progress as planned.
Councillors Tim Wake and Alison Morse expressed concern about disruption and cost that this next stretch could produce. Graham said an alternative route had been explored via Connolly Creek and the Cove Bay Water Treatment Plant, but it didn’t turn out to be feasible for several reasons. “You need to get past the ravine in any case,” he added.
