Terminal Avenue Upgrades – Phase 1

Providing urbanization along the Trans-Canada Highway

Client: City of Nanaimo

Location: Nanaimo, BC

Project Type: Transportation, Municipal

About This Project

Terminal Avenue is an important gateway to Nanaimo’s downtown core. Over a number of years, community consultation efforts have consistently highlighted the need for redevelopment along Terminal Avenue. As part of the Trans-Canada Highway, this busy corridor is a vital link to the downtown and waterfront, yet has long been dominated by vehicle traffic and aging infrastructure.

Engaged as prime consultant, ISL developed a functional design that sets the tone for future urbanization and supports growth while maintaining vehicle flow. The plan introduces a new transit exchange, upgraded park spaces, wider and separated pedestrian walkways, cycling crossing routes, accessibility upgrades, and renewed underground utilities — creating safer, more welcoming streets while opening opportunities for collaboration with private developers and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

Delivering this work required careful coordination within a busy corridor packed with public and private infrastructure. ISL collaborated closely with the City, Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MoTT), Regional District of Nanaimo Transit, BC Transit, and adjacent property owners to align the design with long-term development plans. The team completed traffic modelling and intersection options analysis to support safe, efficient multi-modal travel. Landscape design elements enhance corridor aesthetics and contribute to a welcoming public realm.

Key features of the project include:

  • Wider separated sidewalks to promote pedestrian comfort away from the heavy vehicle flow
  • Raised Crossings at key access points such as Commercial Street use surface treatments, grade changes, and elevation shifts to calm turning vehicles and prioritize pedestrians
  • Flatter walkways through the refuge and median islands with tactile indicators for people with mobility or vision challenges
  • Smart Channelization for right turns with truck aprons to slow turning vehicles through the pedestrian crossing while still promoting large vehicle access/egress from the industrial area
  • “No Right Turn on Red” signage to reduce conflicts between drivers and vulnerable road users
  • Revitalize Italian Square Park and Pioneer Park to provide pleasant pedestrian gateways into the Nanaimo Casino and Port Place Mall

Integrated Expertise

  • Municipal
  • Administration and Construction-
  • Transportation Planning