As part of Ontario’s Cycling Strategy, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) established the $10 million Ontario Municipal Cycling Infrastructure Program (OMCIP), to help municipalities build new and improve existing cycling infrastructure.

In July 2015, the Town of Fort Erie submitted an application to complete the cycling route along the Niagara River Recreation Trail, between Riverwalk and Bowen Road. In March 2016, the Town was notified that its application was successful.

The project will involve the construction of 700 meters of asphalt multi-use recreational trail (3 meter width), on the Niagara Parks Commission (NPC) lands between Bertie Street and approximately Gilmore Road, and 2.3 kilometers of on-road cycling infrastructure improvements between approximately Gilmore Road and Bowen Road. The total project budget is $500,000, with a $150,000 contribution from the Niagara Parks Commission (30%), a $100,000 contribution from the Town of Fort Erie (20%), and a grant of $250,000 from the OMCIP (50%).

During the November 27, Council Meeting, Town Council awarded Rankin Construction Inc. with a contract for Niagara Boulevard Cycling Infrastructure Improvements for an upset limit of $282,156.48 including HST. The project is being coordinated between the Town of Fort Erie and NPC, and is expected to begin in December 2017.