The Resort Municipality of Whistler is planning to expand its Valley Trail network with a new ‘critical’ segment. The proposed Alpha Lake Valley Trail would connect Alta Lake Road to Alpha Lake Park, ultimately linking Function Junction to Creekside.
The project is in the design phase, with construction expected in 2025 or 2026. To make this happen, the Whistler Council must endorse and authorize staff to submit the Alpha Lake Valley Trail Crown Land Use Tenure applications. The council discussed the proposal at a meeting yesterday.
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The Parks Planning Department conducted an Alignment Options Report, which generated four primary alignment options for the trail. The report’s preferred Valley Trail alignment would be along the north edge of Alpha Lake and Pine Point Park. However, this would require a floating or fixed boardwalk upon Alpha Lake due to constraints in topography and the proximity of the CN rail right of way and the Alta Lake Road right of way.
If granted, a Crown Land Use Tenure would not commit the RMOW to construction immediately but would allow construction to occur if and when the construction phase is approved. Staff are also engaged in other negotiations and permitting processes to ensure the recommended alignment’s viability before entering the project’s next phase.
Crown Land Use Tenures can take one to three years to process. Council endorsed the staff’s recommendation to submit a grant application to the UBCM for design and construction funding for the exact Valley Trail alignment between Alta Lake Road and Alpha Lake in 2022.
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