The Midtown Gateway Project is transforming a legacy brownfield site impacted by past industrial activity into a revitalized neighbourhood gateway. It features new complete street transportation corridors, a new naturalized storm water wetland with public walking trails, and enhanced access to our premier recreation complex - Beban Park.

Once fully completed, the Midtown Gateway Project will:

• Restore a wetland impacted by historical coal mining activity,
• Create over 2km of new off-street active transportation pathways,
• Enhance accessibility to Beban Park,
• Create a public natural area with walking trails, that will also serve as a detention pond during storm events,
• Unlock a development site for a signature commercial and residential gateway development to the City,
• Create a new transportation network that will increase the safety and comfort for people who walk, bike, take transit, and drive, and
• Improve the safe flow of commercial and industrial goods.

Progress Update

On Wednesday January 22, the new signalized intersection on Bowen Road was officially put into service and is now controlling all vehicle, cyclist and pedestrian traffic. The new Beban Parkway (south Beban Park entrance) and Boxwood Road connection is also open to the public.

These changes enhance access to Beban Park and improve Nanaimo’s transportation network with increased options, safety and comfort for people who walk, bike, take transit or drive, while improving the safe flow of commercial and industrial goods.

Beban Parkway now provides access to the new Beban Plaza Lane, which will serve as an easier and safer access point to Beban Plaza for drivers arriving from any direction via the new intersection. Exiting the plaza using Beban Plaza Lane will also be safe and easy. Traffic will turn right onto Beban Parkway, drive around the turning circle and can head back to the new intersection or continue to our Beban Park facilities.

While the new roads and intersection are now open and in use, construction work will continue. Some surface conditions are still incomplete and may be uneven, so please exercise caution, obey all signs placed for your safety, and follow the directions of any flag persons on duty.

Traffic disruptions, night work and sections of road closures will be ongoing until the project reaches completion, which is expected by this Fall.

Thank you for your ongoing patience!

CURRENT TRAFFIC ADVISORIES

Here are the latest traffic disruptions to be aware of:

From January 20 to 26:

1. The signalized intersection on Bowen Road goes into service January 22!  The new traffic signal lights are now flashing to alert drivers along Bowen Road that the new intersection will soon be actively traffic-controlled. On Wednesday January 22, in the early afternoon, the traffic lights, crosswalks and intersection will be officially opened and the new Beban Parkway (south Beban Park entrance) and Boxwood Road connector will be accessible to pedestrian, cycling and vehicle traffic. Watch for temporary surface conditions at the intersection of Boxwood Road and Northfield Road. There are still improvements to be completed as construction continues. Please use caution and expect delays.
   
2. Watch for temporary surface conditions at the intersection of Boxwood Road and Northfield Road. There are still improvements to be completed as construction continues. Please use caution and expect delays.
3. Boxwood Road, south of Northfield Road, will be reduced to single lane alternating traffic during working hours. Expect delays. Some of the on-street parking has now been permanently removed, please refer to map below. 
4. Vehicle access to/from Rosstown Road at Bowen Road is now permanently closed. Please use Powder Works Road to access Rosstown Road.  The intersection of Rosstown Road and Powder Works Road is now operating as a 3 way-stop, please use caution.  
5. Please watch of traffic control persons and signage on a section lane way south of Northfield Road, please refer to map below.   
6. The Boxwood Road access to 2249 Northfield Road (Katies Korner Childcare) is now temporarily closed. Please use the new access via the back laneway, see map below. 
7. All businesses remain open and accessible.
8. All park amenities and programs remain open and accessible

For your safety, please watch for temporary surface conditions throughout the project area. Please obey all signs and traffic control persons. Give yourself extra time and expect delays.

Thank you for your patience!

Want to Know More?

Check out the recent construction photos gallery, or the additional information under the tabs below.

Or contact us at midtowngateway@nanaimo.ca