A brand new multi-use trail in south Sarnia is now open for residents to enjoy.
The $1.28-million path runs along Confederation Street from Murphy Road to Finch Drive, and on Murphy from Confederation to Cardiff Drive.
Sarnia Manager of Development and Transportation Alister Brown said the asphalt was laid by Sev-Con Paving late last week.
"It's a three metre asphalt pathway for cycling, rollerblading, skateboarding, all uses. It really encompasses the term 'multi-use'."
Brown said it goes a long way toward achieving the city's goal of becoming a more active community.
"This section of road is one that we've seen for years where people have been walking or biking beside the road there," he said. "It has lacked pedestrian facilities for that period of time. We were happy to be able to complete a project there that completes those points."
Work is done on a new multi-use trail in Sarnia (Photo courtesy of City of Sarnia via Facebook)
Brown said the second phase of the project will see the path extended on Confederation from Murphy to Upper Canada Drive.
"The timing of that work is a little bit subjective," said Brown. "The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is actually completing that as part of the scope of their work. We don't have a firm timeline from them on that yet."
Brown said a portion of the Howard Watson Nature Trail remains closed, from Confederation to Wellington Streets.
Crews are still conducting some sewer work at the Bedford pumping station.
The timing of that work is not known, but when the area opens back up it will be fully connected to the new trail.