Underground work begins on new transit exchange in downtown Trail

Underground work begins on new transit exchange in downtown Trail

Published 11:43 am Thursday, September 24, 2026

Anyone wondering about the extensive digging underway in the south end of downtown Trail is looking at the early stages of the city’s new transit exchange.

Construction is now underway on Cedar Avenue between Spokane Street and Portland Street, where crews are carrying out underground and utility work before the more visible elements of the $3.73-million transit project begin taking shape.

BC Transit announced earlier this month that the construction contract had been awarded to local company Simm Excavating & Snow Removal Ltd.

The work is part of a complete overhaul and expansion of the existing downtown transit exchange, designed to strengthen transit connections across the West Kootenay and improve access to downtown shops, restaurants, healthcare services and workplaces.

Construction fencing, excavators and open trenches now dominate part of Cedar Avenue as crews work below street level.

During construction, a temporary downtown bus stop has been established along Spokane Street between Cedar Avenue and Bay Avenue.

Businesses, galleries, schools and restaurants in the area are expected to remain open throughout the work, with the project team working with businesses to maintain public access.

Construction signage has also been installed to direct pedestrians and motorists around the work zone.

Once completed, the new exchange will include six concrete bus pads to accommodate current service and future growth, along with three weather-protected bus shelters featuring bench seating and lighting.

Six bicycle racks are slated for installation to make it easier for passengers to combine cycling and bus travel, while a dedicated washroom will be provided for transit operators.

The project also includes utility upgrades, brighter lighting, wider and reconstructed sidewalks, street resurfacing, new crosswalk markings and signage.

One of the biggest permanent changes will be the conversion of the 1400 block of Cedar Avenue to one-way traffic.

BC Transit has said the change, supported by the City of Trail, is intended to improve traffic flow and allow buses to operate more safely and efficiently.

The new street configuration will also add two accessible parking spaces.

Some existing on-street parking stalls will be removed, although BC Transit has said there will not be a significant reduction in the overall amount of public parking.

Parking along Portland Street will remain unchanged.

The exchange is being designed to meet the Security Achieved through Functional Environmental Design, or SAFE Design, standard, which uses public-space planning and design to create a safer and more welcoming environment for transit users and the surrounding community.

The project is funded by all three levels of government.

The Government of Canada is contributing $1.23 million through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, the Province of British Columbia is providing $1.54 million and the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary is contributing about $963,000.

The transit exchange was first announced in February 2024 as a project intended to accommodate future bus routes, growing ridership and improved passenger safety and accessibility across the West Kootenay transit system.

BC Transit says construction is expected to be completed this winter.