Work is expected to start before long on sidewalks along at least part of North Shore Road.
Town of Lake Cowichan works superintendent Nagy Rizk said it is not likely that sidewalks can be built on both sides of the street because, in some areas, the hill rises too steeply to allow room.
Mayor Ross Forrest asked if there was enough room to allow for a bicycle lane adjacent to the sidewalk but Rizk said it would have to be considered carefully.
“You could hit dead ends along some parts and the cyclist would have no place to go. To properly isolate it, you’d almost need to add another lane,” he said.
Forrest persisted.
“Could we, at a later date, have enough space on the other side? I’m thinking of the future.”
Rizk said it would only be possible if the road were actually widened. “There’s not enough shoulder now,” he said.
Town CAO Joe Fernandez added, “We should look at getting sidewalks in. That is now an important connector. But we do need to look at it long term, to tie it into whatever we are doing here [along South Shore Road by the town office.]