By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

The Great Trail getting nearly $2 million in improvements

Dec 17, 2018 | 1:08 PM

New provincial funding has been announced for 12 Great Trail projects, including some in central Alberta.

The Great Trail, formerly the Trans Canada Trail, will be getting tuned up thanks to a sum of $1.93 million the province of Alberta says it’s investing. Work will include new trails, enhancing existing ones, and adding bridges and signage.

“Alberta’s incredible trail network attracts tourists from around the world, helps Albertans be more active and connects people to nature,” says Ricardo Miranda, Minister of Culture and Tourism. “We are pleased to contribute to this legacy with our continuing support for The Great Trail.”

Alberta TrailNet, a non-profit which will manage the funds, says it is extremely grateful for the announcement.

“Provincial funding has been critical in mobilizing volunteer resources and community support and in leveraging investments from donors and other levels of government,” says Ross Hayes, President. “Many communities and thousands of recreational users have benefited from this and other provincial investments in the trail.”

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Alberta has the second-longest portion of The Great Trail, which passes through 77 municipalities, 24 municipal districts, and several Indigenous communities in our province. In total, it spans 24,000 kilometres from coast to coast to coast.

Projects to receive funding include:

-Diamond Willow Trail (south of Ponoka) – bank stabilization and engineering work to preserve existing trail.

-McKelvie Trail (near Ponoka) – trail development and suspension bridge installation.

-Peace River Wilderness Trail (near Smith) – improvements to trail surface and drainage, and construction of a staging area, including washrooms, at the southern end.

-DesNethe’ Discovery Trail (near Fitzgerald and the NWT border) – surface improvements, clearing, and installing culverts.

-Will Marx Trail (north of Grouard) – bridge installation.

-Arctic Water route (between Athabasca and Fort Smith) – signage, including design, locations, materials and installation.

-Electric Dielectric Trail (between Canmore and Deadman’s Flats) – footbridge installation.

-Irricana to Beiseker Trail – new trail construction, including surfacing, fencing and signage.

-Hope Adventure Camp Trail (Sturgeon River) – upgrading of existing trail, including widening and adding signage.

-Opal Area Grazing Reserve Trail (Athabasca Landing Trail, northeast of Edmonton) – trail development to connect Athabasca Landing Trail to Half Moon Lake Trail.

-Meanook to Perryville (Athabasca Landing Trail) – development of small staging area and preservation of existing trail.

-Beiseker Station Grounds Trail (near Beiseker) – new trail construction, including fencing, signage and a staging area.