Waterloo Spur Line Multi-use Trail officially opens

Waterloo – Today a ceremonial ribbon cutting marked the official opening of the Waterloo Spur Line multi-use trail. The construction of the trail was made possible through collaboration with the Ontario government through Metrolinx, the Region of Waterloo, the City of Kitchener and the City of Waterloo. Total cost of the 2,400 metre long trail is approximately $5,060,646.

The paved trail runs diagonally between Ahrens Street in the City of Kitchener and Regina Street in the City of Waterloo connecting the two cities with a new active transportation corridor.

Special features of the trail include asphalt paving throughout the full length of the trail, pedestrian level lighting, a landscaped buffer between the paved trail and the railway track for safety as well as tactile warning strips to warn users of road and railway intersections. It is one of the few trails in Waterloo Region that is maintained during the winter and cleared of snow. The trail is a year-round, off-road route which connects the cities of Kitchener and Waterloo.

“This is great news for anyone wanting to get outdoors and be active,” said Kathryn McGarry, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Transportation. “The new multi-use trail promotes healthy living, connects people to jobs and makes it easier for residents and students to connect to public transit.”

“The Waterloo Spur Line multi-use trail is an important route which connects the cities of Kitchener and Waterloo,” said Ken Seiling, Regional Chair. “This trail definitely supports the Region’s Active Transportation Plan. Pedestrians and cyclists now have a safe, year-round active transportation corridor that connects them to the Kitchener GO Train Station and the future King-Victoria Transit Hub.”

“The Spur Line Trail is a perfect example of how great things happen when there is collaboration among community partners and municipalities,” said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “This trail connects Waterloo and Kitchener, and the neighbourhoods in between, which means we are moving in the right direction for livable, sustainable communities.”

“We’re thrilled to see this trail completed,” said Mayor Dave Jaworsky. “Having this paved, lit trail connecting Waterloo to Kitchener, the Kitchener GO Train Station and the future King-Victoria Transit Hub boosts our strategic goal of continually expanding our active transportation network and making it easy to move around our community in a healthy, active way.”

-30-

For more information please contact:

Linda Zavarella, Corporate Communications, Region of Waterloo 519-575-4008 LZavarella@regionofwaterloo.ca