A committee of the CRD is prepared to borrow $6.1-million dollars so they can push ahead with the next two phases of the E&N Rail Trail.
The CRD board hasn't dedicated any funding to the popular trail for pedestrians and cyclists, as the project to date has been done with $18.2 million dollars in grants.
Staff will continue to look for grant opportunities, but regional district CAO Robert Lapham says they're hearing increased demand from residents to finish the trail, and a loan would allow for work to proceed on phases three and four.
"We're recommending that we propose a borrowing bylaw for $6-million dollars to advance that part of trail."
Phase three will connect existing portions of the rail trail in Langford between Savory School and the Galloping Goose trail . Phase four will connect the trail at Esquimalt Road to the Johnson Street Bridge, and will require five rail crossings. The crossings alone are expected to cost around one million dollars.
The loan still requires approval from the CRD board.
Funding has not yet been secured for the fifth and final phase of the project, which will see the trail extended west from Jacklin Road in Langford.