E & N Rail Trail, Humpback Connector

[Rob Randall]

^Thanks for that. It makes you wonder if the designers actually test out the route beforehand on mountain bikes or if it's all done from behind a desk.

[Bingo]

Is there a progress report on the E&N Trail, or is the project stalled due to the rail line not operating?

The website says;

"4. Trail Construction – Esquimalt Road to Admirals Road (2.3 km)
Trail construction began September 2010. First portion of work including construction of the trail surface anticipated for completion May 2011. Second portion includes improvements to five road intersections including upgrades to rail signals and pedestrian crossing infrastructure. Completion anticipated in late 2011. NOTE: This section of trail will not be open until all intersection work is complete due to requirements by rail operator for public safety."

http://www.crd.bc.ca/parks/enrailtra...nstruction.htm

[UrbanRail]

Right now only two sections of the trail are paved, In Langford along Atkins Rd near Savory Elementary to Jacklin Rd and in Esquimalt from Wilson st to Admirals Rd. The Langford Section is officially open to the public, while the Esquimalt section is not.

[JohnN]

Recent photos along the E and N rail in Vic West and along the new rail trail in Esquimalt: http://www.panoramio.com/user/5393602/tags/rail%20trail

[Sparky]

^ Thanks John for posting those. You have just given me some ideas for this week's Sunday adventure.

[Sparky]

....and if we ....yes a collective we.....don't do anything.......

we loose this.

[Sparky]

In all fairness, Mrs. Sparky and I attempted to gather as much information about the "Rail Trail" as we could today......to be brutally honest...we started off being pleased with the preliminary details....you know the stuff that the average person wants to know.......but there definitely.....is more information to follow.


This particular stretch has not been retrofitted with the trail portion....and fencing..strangely we did not seem opposed.

[Sparky]

We tried to find every spot from the roundhouse to Humpback.....where a school boy could access it.

That was a remarkable day.

[Coreyburger]

Originally Posted by Sparky

In all fairness, Mrs. Sparky and I attempted to gather as much information about the "Rail Trail" as we could today......to be brutally honest...we started off being pleased with the preliminary details....you know the stuff that the average person wants to know.......but there definitely.....is more information to follow.


This particular stretch has not been retrofitted with the trail portion....and fencing..strangely we did not seem opposed.

Is this section within the reserves? If so, then we aren't going to see a trail along that section in the near future.

For some pictures of the West Shore portion of the Humpback Connector, see my flickr set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/coreybu...7624314590886/

[Bingo]

"The only rail-with-trail in the region, it will form a key part of the trail network managed by the Capital Regional District, which includes the popular Galloping Goose and Lochside regional trails."

http://www.crd.bc.ca/parks/enrailtra...tinnov2011.pdf

Hopefully the rail will still be with the trail.

[Sparky]

^^ It is getting close to the First Nations lands between Colville and Craigflower.

[Bernard]

The right of way is large enough to have the trail and the rail through the reserve. The rail right of way is not actually on reserve lands.

[Coreyburger]

Originally Posted by Bernard

The right of way is large enough to have the trail and the rail through the reserve. The rail right of way is not actually on reserve lands.

The land in the reserves is in weird legal limbo. I can't remember if it is ICF-owned but only for the purposes of a railway, or reserve-owned with an easement for a railway (and only a railway).

Also, can we rename the thread. It is now officially the Humpback Connector.

[Mr_E_Squirrel]

Found out it entered boondoggle stage unannounced lately. Between Wilson St and Esquimalt Rd it Ends, On the trail towards town the trail is blocked by two properties (swiftsure woodwork's and another business) where they lease two parcels of land for the air filtering/dust system, and they cannot have the public cross the train tracks as it is "private property". Not sure if it permanently ended there or they are going to pay do move the Ducts to the roof. If you get a chance to check out the bridge going over Dominion the bridge appears to be engineered to take rolling Army tanks..

[JohnN]

I think photo showing encroachment of Swiftsure Woodworkers duct is here and neighbour duct here.

Maybe the bridge across Dominion you might mean is across Hereward - which continues from Dominion south of the Devonshire/Pine intersection? Agreed that it very beefy for just needing to take walkers/cyclists. Same bridge type crosses (Old) Island Highway/E&N rail at Portage Inlet - but was closed off when I was there in August - there is no asphalt trail at that bridge (yet, or ever maybe).

Originally Posted by Mr_E_Squirrel

Found out it entered boondoggle stage unannounced lately. Between Wilson St and Esquimalt Rd it Ends, On the trail towards town the trail is blocked by two properties (swiftsure woodwork's and another business) where they lease two parcels of land for the air filtering/dust system, and they cannot have the public cross the train tracks as it is "private property". Not sure if it permanently ended there or they are going to pay do move the Ducts to the roof. If you get a chance to check out the bridge going over Dominion the bridge appears to be engineered to take rolling Army tanks..

[Mr_E_Squirrel]

You are correct on all counts.. forgot Hereward went that far...

[Mr_E_Squirrel]

Any news? Some body said there was a sign posted about non completion notice.I am going to have to walk by and check it out

[JohnN]

CRD Parks Committee Meeting 18 April will get an update on E and N Rail Trail - Humpback Connector:

Agenda, Item 13.

E and N Rail Trail - Humpback Connector Report (600kb PDF):
http://www.crd.bc.ca/reports/regiona...em13enrail.pdf

[dirtydeeds]

Went for a bike ride through Esquimalt and see that the part of the E & N trail that runs parallel to Colville Road has been baricaded of to public use by concrete medians? I thought this section of the trail was open for use already?

[Coreyburger]

Originally Posted by dirtydeeds

Went for a bike ride through Esquimalt and see that the part of the E & N trail that runs parallel to Colville Road has been baricaded of to public use by concrete medians? I thought this section of the trail was open for use already?

No, this section has never been open. Basically the money for the crossings has sat there pending the ICF confirming that the rail will remain active. As it is now going to restart, the crossings will need to upgraded to the latest Transport Canada standards for railway crossings. This work is expected this year.

(Disclosure: I work for CRD, but for Regional Planning, not Parks).

[dirtydeeds]

Originally Posted by Coreyburger

As it is now going to restart, the crossings will need to upgraded to the latest Transport Canada standards for railway crossings. This work is expected this year.

So will the barricades be in place the whole time making the trail unuseable? Do you know the projected finish date for this part of the trail?

[LJ]

Originally Posted by Coreyburger

No, this section has never been open. Basically the money for the crossings has sat there pending the ICF confirming that the rail will remain active. As it is now going to restart, the crossings will need to upgraded to the latest Transport Canada standards for railway crossings. This work is expected this year.

(Disclosure: I work for CRD, but for Regional Planning, not Parks).

Are you saying the rail service is going to restart? I hadn't heard anything about it.