Despite some second thoughts, Trail city council has given the go-ahead to a new downtown transit exchange over two blocks of Cedar Avenue between Spokane and Portland streets.
The decision followed a presentation Monday addressing a number of concerns, including sidewalk space, idling buses, and the possibility the exchange will cause problems with access to the redevelopment of the site where a building was recently demolished.
BC Transit says the project will include six bus bays, three large shelters with lighting, a public washroom, driver’s washroom, bicycle racks, widened sidewalks, and landscaping.
Gord Fisher, who owns a building on Cedar Avenue, told council before the vote that he thought the Esplanade would be a better location for the bus stop, but mayor Colleen Jones said it had been ruled out as impractical.
BC Transit also warned that starting over from scratch would result in a years-long delay and probably higher costs.
Only councillor Thea Hanson voted against the proposal, while councillor Doug Wilson was absent.
BC Transit will now look for a contractor to build the new transit exchange, which is expected to cost over $3 million and be ready by late fall.
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