The city will be forging ahead with an application for federal grant funding to build a $1.2 million trail, members of the city’s development and infrastructure heard Thursday.

The trail to the Canyon Creek/Heron Crossing subdivision is the first and only project announced so far that will form part of the city’s active transportation strategy. That strategy was announced in December 2022 as part of the 2023-24 budget cycle.

“In the last few weeks, a federal grant has been announced for active transportation, and we intend to submit an application for this particular stretch,” Stan Nowakowski, director of municipal works, told committee members. He added the city has reached out to Cypress County to gauge interest in joining in that application process.

The trail is proposed to stretch from the current end of the Rotary Centennial Trail on South Boundary Road to the Canyon Creek/Heron Crossing subdivision.

The subdivision forms an isolated community of 22 homes with city officials initially suggesting residents could apply for a local improvement fee to pay for the trail, according to the briefing note provided to committee members. That briefing note also outlines the city’s planning principles which would see the community connected to the trail system once the lands on the former Cimmaron development are built out.

“In essence, funding for infrastructure should be allocated according to how fully it is likely to be used, which is tied to the population density of an area,” stated the briefing note.  “This suggests that higher density areas with infrastructure gaps should be prioritized ahead of the subject lands, given that only 22 homes currently exist.”

While concerns were raised about safety along the stretch, Nowakowski dispelled the stretch of road is dangerous, noting one reported incident in the past decade which involved no injuries. But he added it was solely built for vehicle traffic. The road would be upgraded in accordance with the city’s smart growth development principles once the Cimmaron lands are built out.

He also stated the speed limit is as low as 40 km/h along portions of the road along which was adjusted following a 2017 traffic review of the section of street.

The federal government has opened its Active Transportation Fund for capital projects which has a Feb. 26 deadline for applications. The grant will fund projects for between 60 and 100 per cent of costs up to $50 million.

The Canyon Creek/Heron Crossing trail is the only city project which the city has announced it will seek federal funding for in building.