Nelson’s new transit exchange, being constructed on Victoria Street, is now slated to be completed by the end of May.
Once complete, the transit exchange currently located on Ward and Stanley streets will be moved to its new home on the 300 block of Victoria Street, between Stanley and Kootenay streets.
The project was first announced by the City last Febuary. It was originally scheduled to be complete by October of 2024.
However, CFO Chris Jury told councillors on Tuesday that construction on the site slowed for the winter, but he says the project contractor presumes it will pick back up in early March.
“Things were pretty quiet on that one over the winter, but it’s going to ramp up here pretty quickly. The contractors can’t do anything when the snow’s here, but they’re sort of looking at early March to get things going with the transit exchange.”
Jury says crews hope construction will wrap up by the end of May, with the city then planning to add finishing touches, like shelters and lighting, shortly after.
The completed project will result in the loss of several parking spaces on Victoria Street. However, the city said previously that the loss of these parking spaces will be supplemented with new spaces at the Ward Street exchange once it’s taken down.
Jury says deconstructing the old exchange and its shelter should begin in June, although that work won’t be done until the new exchange is finished.
“The plan is that once the new one is up and running, we will tackle the old one and take it down. That way, we have the opportunity to put up signage. We’re not putting a bunch of parking in there right away; the buses will still be able to come in, so that part won’t happen immediately.”
The city ensures appropriate communication will be issued to residents and transit users once the exchange officially begins operating at the new site.
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