Upbound lanes of Claremont Access and new Keddy Access Trail to open Friday afternoon

Theupbound lanes of the Claremont Access and the new Keddy Access Trail will officially open on Friday afternoon.

The city confirmed the news in a media release on Monday afternoon after months of construction.

The repairs on the Claremont Accessincluded resurfacing,minor bridge deck repairs, a new pedestrian signalbetween Southam Park,the James Street Escarpment stairs and the Keddy Access Trail.

"The completion of this project will expand travel options among residents and will provide much-needed connectivity between the lower city and mountain,"Mayor Fred Eisenberger said.

Keddy Access Trail

While the gate in front of the Keddy Accesstrail will be open, the city doesn't want anyone to use it untilall signage, pavement markings and other safety measures has been fully installed.

The trailstretchesfrom Hunter Street to West 5thStreet. It has an entry point at Hunter Street and theClaremont Access. It also has four side connections with three-metre wide asphalt trails at:

• West Avenue (near Wellington Street).
• St Joseph's Drive.
• North and south sides of Arkledun Avenue/Jolley Cut.
• Tanner Street through Southam Park.

The city said cyclistsshouldnot exceed 15 km per houron trails, should slow down to pass others on the left sideand yield to pedestrians.

TheKeddy Access Trail wasnamed in honour of Jay Keddy, a 53-year-old kindergartenteacher, avid cyclist and father of three who was struck from behind and killed by a man driving a pickup truck in December 2015.

"Jay Keddy was a family man, a teacher, a contributor to our great city and a well-liked individual in our community ...as an avid cyclist, it is fitting to have one of the city's major bike lane accesses named after Mr. Keddy. We are proud to commemorate Jay's legacy and spirit through this project," said Ward 14 councillor Terry Whitehead.