Grand Trunk Pathway (Western Extension) Project

The City of Terrace is constructing the western extension of the Grand Trunk Pathway, connecting the existing multi-use commuter and recreational pathway from Frank Street to the Kitsumkalum River bridge along the northern portion of Highway 16 right-of-way. This project will complete this key recreational and active transportation linkage west to Kitsumkalum First Nation, while also addressing safety issues along this corridor.

September 2023: The Grand Trunk Pathway western extension is nearing completion! Paving of the full length of the pathway is complete. We are in the process of identifying the exact locations for placement of benches and garbage cans, which we are aiming to install this year, weather permitting. The remaining landscaping is also slated for completion this fall.

The City of Terrace undertook the Grand Trunk Pathway (GTP) Master Plan in 2008 in order to guide the extension and completion of our primary pedestrian and cycling trail. The Plan’s vision saw the linking of downtown Terrace to the Kitsumkalum River to the west of the city. The Master Plan contained a general, high-level design concept for the entire pathway, adopting the general character of the existing Millennium section, which was completed in 2002. Since the adoption of the GTP Master Plan, two of the three sections have been completed. The remaining section, the “Skeena River Walk,” will link the “Grand View Walk” section (completed in 2015), which terminates at Frank Street, west out to the Kitsumkalum River, and will link the City of Terrace to Kitsumkalum First Nation.

In 2018 the City of Terrace retained a consultant to conduct a feasibility review of the alignment for this final segment of the Grand Trunk Pathway. The feasibility review provided a high-level technical review of constraints and challenges of aligning the pathway on either the north or south side of Highway 16W between Frank Street and the Kitsumkalum River Bridge. Based on the evaluation criteria and stakeholder input, the proposed north alignment was considered the most feasible option in terms of land availability/permitting requirements and cost/constructability. This project will complete this key recreational and active transportation linkage west to Kitsumkalum First Nation, while also addressing safety issues along this corridor.
On July 7, 2020, the City of Terrace was awarded a $500,000 Rural Community Development Grant, which allowed the City to go ahead with the Grand Trunk Pathway Completion and Connection Project: Terrace to Kitsumkalum. Run through the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, this program is providing nearly $14 million in grants for more than 150 projects that support economic development and recreational opportunities in rural communities throughout British Columbia. The City of Terrace gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the province of British Columbia for this project.

Read the news release

In March 2020, Council also allocated $505,000 from the 2019 Gas Tax Program (Community Works fund) towards this project, which is projected to cost $1 million to complete.