Community Trail
The community trail project is one of the municipality’s major projects. The conversion of 22 km of the old railway tracks will enable residents to use active transportation to get around, in addition to offering a great opportunity to enjoy nature in Chelsea.
In 2018, the municipality commissioned the Atelier Urbain firm to work on a co-design to paint the broad strokes of a development concept reconciling the contributions of each side. A community trail committee was subsequently created to put forward recommendations to the municipal council.
ONGOING WORK
Culvert replacement - September 13 to 30
The section of the Community Trail between Kirk's Ferry Road and Prof-Burt Road will be closed between September 13 and 30 to allow for the replacement of the culvert north of Hellard Road.
Brush Clearing
Brush clearing work is currently underway on the community trail and will take several weeks to complete. This work takes place within the trail right-of-way but also at the intersection of each private or public road.
The work is not expected to significantly disrupt traffic. Appropriate signage will be put in place by the contractor.
UPCOMING PROJECTS IN 2019
- Dismantling 30 grade crossings
- Clearing and culling trees along the trail
- Drawing up a contract for the preparation of plans and quotes including
- The replacement of culverts
- Stabilization work
- Signage plan
- Redevelopment of some intersections deemed to be dangerous (Route 105, Chemin de la Rivière)
- Crash barrier at certain spots considered to be dangerous for trail users
- Drainage of ditches
- Stabilization work in the Chemin Welka area (including dismantling railway tracks)
- Road surface rehabilitation on 2.4 km between Chemin Wallace and Chemin Church
NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES
The municipality would like to remind all users that the community trail is off limits to motorized vehicles. Offenders may be fined according to the rules in force.
If you see a non-authorized vehicle on the trail, we recommend that you immediately call the Collines-de-l’Outaouais RCM police at 819 459-9911.
The Chelsea community trail has been designed to encourage residents to enjoy the beautiful natural environment and tranquility of the corridor along the Gatineau River. It is a multi‐use non‐motorized recreational pathway for walking, running, skiing, snow shoeing, and low speed cycling.
The following rules form the code of conduct and all users of the trail must respect them:
- Private property must be respected. No trespassing. It is important to stay on the trail at all times and speak quietly when near residences.
- All animals must be kept on a leash, they must stay on the trail and under control, and all droppings are to be removed immediately from the trail.
- Cyclists must yield to all other trail users, ride at low speed, and respect the maximum speed limit of 20 km/hr.
- Only non‐motorized forms of transportation are authorized, except for personal adapted transportation devices for those with disabilities.
- No littering, glass bottles or containers are not allowed on the trail. Bring all personal belongings with you and pick up after others.
- It is forbidden to walk on the classic ski tracks.
- It is forbidden to smoke, have campfires or drink alcohol while using the trail.
- It is mandatory to use provided toilet facilities.
- It is mandatory to respect the cultural, heritage and environmental values of the trail.
- Access to the river is allowed at designated public water access areas only.
- It is mandatory to respect the rights of all trail users to enjoy the tranquility and beautiful natural environment of the community trail.
Based on the co-design results, the council adopted ten guidelines proposed by the community trail committee for the development of the community trail:
- a local multipurpose trail which will promote walking, running and cycling (recreational or active transportation) during the seasons favourable to these activities and walking, skiing, cycling and snowshoeing in winter
- a trail stretching along the corridor of the municipality’s northern border all the way to the landslide site near Chemin Loretta Loop
- a trail consisting of a flat and smooth surface, made up of rock dust or similar material, but not paved
- a trail with a minimal and typical width of 2.44 m, which can be wider at certain points. This will be studied case by case when a larger trail may respond to the needs of the community.
- a trail with several access points built in a way to promote access to Chelsea residents and taking into account the concerns of residents from neighbouring areas
- a trail that will provide points of access to Gatineau River
- a trail that will be environmentally friendly and celebrate its rich ecosystem
- a trail that will respect and promote the cultural and historic heritage of communities along the corridor
- a trail whose use will be governed by a code of conduct based on respect and fairness in sharing the benefits of its use
- a trail that can be developed in phases and whose financial impact may be reduced by obtaining subsidies and funds from private fundraising campaigns
2019-07-30 Étude des ponceaux et l’établissement d’un plan de drainage pour l’aménagement du sentier communautaire
2019-01-31 Étude complémentaire anciennes gares
Archives
Caractérisation environnementale des sols, chemin Kirk’s Ferry – juin 2018
Présentation du 13 février 2018: Études géotechniques de l'ancienne voie ferrée de Chelsea
Évaluation environnementale de site Phase II - Secteurs A & B (WSP)
Étude géotechnique complémentaire - Glissement de terrain entre les chemins Wright et Loretta (WSP)
Étude géotechnique (WSP)
Évaluation environnementale de site Phases I & II - Secteur de l'ancienne gare de passagers de Chelsea (WSP)
Rapport final de l'étude d'impact social
Résultats de l'étude sur les gaz à effet de serre
Étude de faisabilité technique et financière pour une piste multifonctionnelle - Étape 1
Étude de faisabilité technique et financière pour une piste multifonctionnelle - Étape 2 et 3
Évaluation environnementale du site - Phase 1 - À venir
Formulaire de demande - Offre de financement 2015 du FMV - Études de faisabilité et projets pilotes
Document d'appel d'offres - Études d'impact social concernant la construction d'un sentier communautaire
Document d'appel d'offres - Évaluation environnementale de site phase II et étude géotechnique pour la piste multifonctionnelle
Document d'appel d'offres - Démantèlement de la voie ferrée dans les limites de la Municipalité de Chelsea
Rapport quinquennal sur le plan directeur de transport actif de Chelsea - Mars 2019
Rapport intérimaire du Comité de travail pour la recherche de subventions et de financement du 29 septembre 2017
Lettre du MAMOT 6 mars 2017 à l’égard de la conversion du corridor ferroviaire
Résumé exécutif de l’étude de faisabilité technique et financière pour un sentier communautaire multifonctionnel sur le réseau ferroviaire
Rapport du comité ad hoc sur la faisabilité d'un sentier communautaire dans l'emprise du corridor ferroviaire
Rapport sur l'étude de planification stratégique du Pôle récréotouristique Chelsea, Wakefield et le parc de la Gatineau & l'étude de faisabilité pour un sentier communautaire le long du corridor ferroviaire (dépôt des rapports)
Extrait des délibérations du conseil de la municipalité de Chelsea
Résolutions adoptées par le Conseil en 2014 et en 2015
Résolutions adoptées par le Conseil en 2016
Résolution adoptées par le Conseil en 2017 (janvier à juin)
Résultats de la pétition Oui Chelsea
Rapport préliminaire du Comité de travail pour la recherche de subventions et de financement pour le projet potentiel de sentier communautaire
With the help of the Gatineau Valley Historical Society, nearly 80 m of the community trail was protected to create a discovery trail. This will keep alive the cultural heritage of the former railway which remains an important part of the municipality’s history.
The co-design process has now officially come to an end. Thank you to all those who participated by sharing their vision and ideas to create a community trail for all.
Information
Public Works and Infrastructure Department