Skip to content

West Van moves forward with 6.5-km Upper Levels Trail plan

The District of West Vancouver is looking to build a 6.5-kilometre walking and biking trail linking the neighbourhoods above the Upper Levels Highway.
upper levels trail

The District of West Vancouver is looking to build a 6.5-kilometre walking and biking trail linking the neighbourhoods above the Upper Levels Highway.

The district recently closed a bidding process seeking firms to conduct a feasibility study and produce concept designs for a multi-use pathway linking Westcot Road at the entrance to the British Properties to Cypress Bowl Road.

The proposal stems from a 2017 study of the municipality’s pedestrian network, which recommended better east-west active transportation options for the area.

“The trail will serve as an important recreation and transportation amenity for such uses as walking, jogging, cycling, in-line skating, and wheeling with the aid of a mobility device,” the district’s request for proposal states. “It will provide an important means of movement for persons of all ages, abilities and fitness levels while improving physical connections between neighbourhoods, schools, churches, parks and intersecting trails.”

The stretch between 21st Street and Folkestone Way along Skilift Road has already been constructed with bike lanes and a sidewalk. The district is currently working on detailed design for the segment at the far western end between Taylor Way and 3rd Street, according to the request for proposals. But the winning firm will be asked to pitch ideas for the more challenging sections, including new crossings over Rodgers and  Larson creeks.

The trail may take different forms depending on the segment – a low speed shared greenway, a multi-use path, or separated bike lanes and sidewalk.

According to the district, the trail would be on district land or land under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

Once the feasibility study is complete, the district is planning to start public consultations before any detailed design work is done.