Sydney to Reserve Mines trail construction enters 2nd phase

The second phase of construction on a $3-million multi-use trail from Sydney to Reserve Mines is underway.

The trail is designed to promote non-motorized activity such as walking and biking, and to support healthy lifestyles.

Cape Breton Regional Municipality's senior planner, Rick McCready, is coordinator of the active transportation plan.

"We had a lot of public consultations and one of the concerns we heard was about Grand Lake Road, the fact there is a lot of traffic on it [and] the traffic moves fast," he said. "It's not a great environment for pedestrians trying to get to Cape Breton University and beyond."

Sydney to Reserve Mines

The entire pathway will be almost 10 kilometres long and, when finished, will connect Upper Prince Street in Sydney with Reserve Mines.

A pedway will be built over Highway 125 close to where it meets Grand Lake Road at the head of the trail.

From start to finish, users can reach the Mayflower Mall, Cape Breton University and just beyond the JA Douglas McCurdy Airport.

Work underway now is connecting the path from Forest Haven Memorial Gardens to the airport.

Management at the Mayflower Mall has been involved in the planning process.

"We'll have some signage up soon to mark off the trail to let people know the distance that you can walk on the trail," said manager Greg Morrison. "I walked it early last week and it's beautiful."

Cape Breton Regional Municipality has budgeted more than $300,000 a year for the three-year project.

The rest of the money will come from the provincial government and ACOA.