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

The new signalized intersection on Bowen Road will soon go into service:

• On Wednesday, January 15, the traffic signal lights will start flashing to alert drivers along Bowen Road that the new intersection will soon be actively traffic-controlled.
• On Wednesday January 22, 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.

These changes will 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 will provide 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 will be 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 the end of this summer.

Thank you for your ongoing patience

CURRENT TRAFFIC ADVISORIES

Here are the latest traffic disruptions to be aware of:

From January 13 to 17:

1. The signalized intersection on Bowen Road will soon go into service.  On Wednesday, January 15, the new traffic signal lights will start flashing to alert drivers along Bowen Road that the new intersection will soon be actively traffic-controlled. On Wednesday January 22, 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.
2. Bowen Road, between Northfield Road and Labieux Road, will be 4 lane traffic but remain as temporary surface conditions over the winter. Please slow down and watch for signage. Southbound left turn lane into Beban Plaza is now closed.  Please use alternate access. All businesses remain open and accessible during construction.  
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. The south access of Beban Park will remain closed 24 hours per day. Please use alternate park access. All park amenities and programs remain open and accessible.
5. 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.
6. 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.  
   
7. Please watch of traffic control persons and signage on a section lane way south of Northfield Road, please refer to map below.   
8. All businesses remain open and accessible.

For your safety, 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