Alerts

Overview

BC Transit and local government partners in the West Kootenay Regional Transit System are working together to build a new transit exchange located on Cedar Avenue between Spokane Street and Portland Street. The new exchange will better connect transit customers to downtown Trail where they can access local shops, restaurant, healthcare services and workplaces. The exchange will include:

  • Six concrete bus pads to support future transit growth;
  • Three new weather-protected bus shelters with bench seating;
  • Six bicycle racks so customers can easily pair cycling with bus travel;
  • Utility upgrades to add brighter lighting to the area;
  • Dedicated operator washroom facility;
  • Sidewalk widening and reconstruction, street resurfacing, crosswalk painting and wayfinding signage to better support pedestrians, cyclists, and transit customers throughout the exchange; and
  • Landscaping to add greenery and enhance the streetscape.

The new exchange will be designed to meet Security Achieved through Functional Environmental (SAFE) Design standards and Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) requirements as required by BC Transit.

Trail Transit Exchange rendering

Impacts

Some construction impacts are to be expected. BC Transit is committed to minimizing disruptions and will share updates early and often, so residents and area businesses are aware of planned work. Please abide by safety personnel instructions, posted construction signage and fencing to ensure everyone’s safety while commuting through the area and visiting nearby destinations.

Construction timeline

Spring 2024 – Spring 2026

Planning, Design and Approvals

Spring 2026 – Summer 2026

Pre-construction (tendering)

Summer 2026

Construction

Winter 2027

Completion

Frequently asked questions

A transit exchange is a group of bus stops in one place making it easier for people to change routes. Transit exchanges make it convenient for anyone needing to transfer to another route and are typically placed in areas where many people want to go such as shopping areas and universities. Transit exchanges are designed to be safe spaces that are well-lit to reduce the risk of crime.

The transit exchange will support the region’s future transit network and improve the overall transit experience for customers.

Businesses will remain open during construction and the contractor will work closely with property owners to ensure pedestrian and vehicle access is maintained. Businesses in the area will still have a way for deliveries and services to reach them. How these deliveries and services get to the businesses might change depending on construction plans; specific routes will be determined as the project progresses.

Construction is planned to begin in Summer 2026 and be completed in Winter 2027.

During construction, the public can expect some traffic impacts and possible delays. Local bus service and access to nearby businesses will be maintained. We thank the public for their patience during the construction period as we work to deliver the new transit exchange.

Some temporary impacts are expected during construction. BC Transit, Keolis Canada, and the City of Trail will work together to minimize disruptions and ensure customers can continue to access transit safely. Signage will be installed to help guide customers through the area.

The decision to convert this section of Cedar Avenue to a one-way street was supported by the City of Trail.

The change will improve traffic flow and support safer, more efficient bus operations through the area.

The new street configuration also creates two additional accessible parking spaces, improving accessibility for residents and visitors.

The project was designed to minimize impacts to public parking, and there will be no significant reduction in the overall number of parking spaces in the area.

Parking on Portland Street will remain unchanged. Two new accessible parking spaces will be added on Cedar Avenue, while a small number of on-street parking spaces in the area will be removed as part of the project.

No. Following further review, the public washroom has been removed from the project scope at the request of the City of Trail.

This $3.73 million dollar project is funded by the Government of Canada ($1,231,359) through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, the Province of British Columbia ($1,535,592) and the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary ($693,049).

Please message us at trailexchange@bctransit.com if you have any questions about the project. 

Land acknowledgment

BC Transit respectfully acknowledges the unceded traditional territory of the Ktunaxa, the Sinixt, and the Syilx Okanagan peoples, the traditional keepers of this land.