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Work on the first phase of revamping Nanaimo’s Metral Drive starts next month and is expected to be complete by next June.

Metral Drive runs from Mostar Road to Aulds Road and is considered a major collector road, used by 6,500 motorists daily. The design is intended to improve safety, especially for pedestrians and cyclists, and add public amenities.

New sidewalks, a fresh road surface, designated and separated cycling tracks on both sides of the road, benches, boulevard trees and better street lights are planned. The project includes seven raised intersections to help with street calming. New underground utilities, such as water mains, are also going in.

Phase one, costing $4.5 million, will see 1.4 kilometres of the Metral Drive corridor upgraded.

The budget for the second phase is still being developed, but the city expects it to be about $6 million. Work on that phase is expected to begin next year.

B.C. has contributed $500,000 to the project, which has also received federal money from the community works fund (a gas tax) targeting areas with out-of-date infrastructure.

David Stalker Excavating Ltd. has been awarded the roadwork contract by the city.

The Transportation Association of Canada has awarded the city a 2020 National Sustainable Urban Transportation Award for development of complete street guidelines, new road standards and the Metral Drive project.

Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog said improving the corridor for all forms of transportation is one of the city’s high-priority projects.