Municipality Receives $1.5 Million Grant for Voie Verte Chelsea Trail

The Municipality is pleased to announce that it will benefit from a $1.5M grant for the completion of the Voie Verte Chelsea trail (community trail). This grant from the Government of Quebec comes from the Programme d'aide aux infrastructures de transport actif Véloce III - Volet 2 - Amélioration des infrastructures de transport actif. This program aims to improve the sustainability of active transportation infrastructure in order to promote walking and cycling.

"The Voie Verte Chelsea is a project that brings the community together not only because of its vocation, but also because it is the result of a collaboration with residents and organizations. I would like to thank the Government of Quebec for providing this grant and thank you to the staff, organizations and residents who have worked hard over the years to make this important asset for active transportation in our community a reality. " - Caryl Green, Mayor

The grant obtained will cover nearly 50% of the cost of the work to come to finalize the trail. Estimated at $3.3 million, this work will make the trail safer, in particular by:

• Improving the trail's intersections with Chemins Kirk's Ferry, De la Rivière and Route 105 to ensure the safety of trail users;

• The completion of the foundation (addition of 50 mm compacted stone dust);

• The replacement of certain culverts;

• The addition of guardrails at certain locations along the trail.

Since 2017, the Municipality and its community partners have been working to convert the former railway along the Gatineau River into a multi-purpose trail accessible to Chelsea residents of all ages and with reduced mobility.  To learn more about the Voie Verte Chelsea trail, click here.

"The friends of the Voie Verte Chelsea, the charity arm of the Voie Verte, are very excited about this grant.  We have been working with the Municipality of Chelsea to raise funds for the development of the Voie Verte Chelsea since 2017.  Our efforts have included fund raising with the community and participating in the submission of applications for funding such as Véloce III. " - The Friends of the Voie Verte Chelsea

" Since 2004, Chelsea Trails has partnered with the Municipality of Chelsea in the creation of the Winter Trail and in its transition to the four season, multifunctional Voie Verte Chelsea.  This grant for Active Transport enables the completion of major components of the Voie Verte that creates an active transportation corridor linking the community from north to south. " - Sentiers Chelsea Trails