An expansion of the walking and bike trails on Front Street in Fort Frances could cost $4.2 million.

A report proposes the LaVerendrye Parkway running through the former mill property to Legion Park.

The proposal is broken down into three components.

The first carries the trails along the waterfront up to the International Bridge.

The second links them from the bridge to York Avenue, with the third segment leading the trails to Legion Park.

Fort Frances council agenda handout, February 26, 2024

Consultant Glenn Manning sees them complimenting other town projects, such as the Gateway Project for the downtown area.

“This abuts right up against it, and part of the terms of reference for the project were to find ways to help this along and make sure that whatever we do through this expansion, we are supporting and complementing the work that was already done and approved on the Gateway,” says Manning.

Manning says they found very few issues that would prevent the trails from going through the former mill site.

For security reasons, areas near Canada Customs were avoided.

Manning says civil, geotechnical and environmental reviews did not come up with any roadblocks to the work but did recommend mitigation and soil testing.

The report also recommends the new trails being wider than those along Front Street.

The existing paths were 2.4 meters, or 8 feet wide.

“We’re proposing that the new construction would be in the neighbourhood of 3.5 meters wide, which is really in keeping with current standards through the Transportation Association of Canada for multi-use pathways,” says Manning.

“It helps people with disabilities to get around. It means that people and wheelchairs can pass each other, and there are fewer conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists using the same route.”

It is also recommended the new trails have an asphalt surface.

The proposal also makes recommendations around lighting, trees, signage and benches.

“Public art and interpretive features would also be great to incorporate into the overall plan. We haven’t identified specific spots for these because the process that we would recommend would be that any public art would be done through some sort of community process where there would be a group, could be indigenous people that would be involved in that.”

If the plan was to be accepted by council, Manning says the next steps would be to confirm any agreements required.

“So, clarifying things like the maintenance stuff, access rights and form of tenure. Whether it’s going to be outright purchase or a lease or easement.”

Manning says the project could also be done in phases to align with available resources.

Town council has not indicated how they will proceed with the proposal at this time.