Kelowna

Photo: Adam Proskiw

Photo: Adam Proskiw

Photo: Adam Proskiw

Photo: Adam Proskiw

Photo: Adam Proskiw

Photo: Adam Proskiw

Photo: Adam Proskiw

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Construction on the much anticipated Rails with Trails project finally has the necessary funding to move ahead.

Both the provincial and federal governments have stepped up with nearly $3M in funding for the next phase of the project.

Phase one of the multi-use corridor between Gordon Drive and Spall Road, was completed in 2008.

The second phase of the 4.5 metre wide pathway will extend the current path 1.5 kilometres from Spall Road to Dilworth Drive.

The city plans to eventually run the path to UBC Okanagan, the airport and beyond.

The federal government will provide $1.46M through the Gas Tax Fund while the province will kick in another $1.52M through BikeBC.

MP Ron Cannan, MLA's Norm Letnick, Steve Thomson and Ben Stewart and Kelowna Mayor, Walter Gray were all in attendance for Friday's announcement.

"This funding announcement provides the means to expand this very popular walking and biking route," says Gray.

"Once this phase of the project is complete there will be a continuous 19.5 kilometre ring of off-road pathways in and around our city centre. Urban trails like these provide safe alternative transportation routes for people of all ages and abilities."

The trail will link employment hubs such as downtown or the Landmark buildings to where people live.

It is designed to connect neighbourhoods, town centres and all the recreational amenities in the city.

"Providing urban biking lanes is a priority for the Central Okanagan that MLA's Steve Thomson and Ben Stewart share," says Letnick.

"Phase 2 of Rails with Trails represents a collaborative investment of nearly $3M in funding. This shows what we can accomplish when all levels of government work together to meet the needs of the constituents we serve."