What could be a contentious debate around the best material to use for the rest of the temporary pathway along Arbutus Greenway kicks off this week. The city is hosting public workshops about possible surfaces Sept. 17, 21 and 22.

Crews started laying the temporary path over the summer, but work was halted after critics complained residents should have been consulted before a material like asphalt was selected. Some argued the city was “paving paradise,” that the smooth surface would create safety concerns and that a more porous surface is preferable. Other users were happy to see the asphalt and disappointed when the city stopped paving.

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The temporary path is meant to encourage residents to become familiar with the entire length of the corridor while the greenway’s final design is being considered.

The city started putting down a temporary asphalt path along Arbutus corridor in the summer, but work was halted so consultation could be held about the best hard-surface material to use. Photo Jennifer Gauthier

“During the consultation period over the next couple of years, we want to have lots of people using and experiencing the corridor — even those who are already using it, we’d like them to use it for much longer lengths of travel,” explained Jerry Dobrovolny, the city’s general manager of engineering.

“It’s a very, very cool project. We had a legitimate criticism that we went ahead with the temporary path without consultation so we agreed, that’s fine, we can pause for a moment and have a discussion about that, but we will still get the temporary path in before the end of the year and we’ll have a much bigger consultation starting about the overall project.”

At this point, asphalt runs from 16th to 33rd, while crushed stone was put down between 33rd and 41st, as well as between 10th and 16th.

Ultimately, the temporary path with run from Fir Street all the way to Milton Street in Marpole. The existing asphalt will remain while consultation on the final design takes place. The temporary surface for rest of the route is what’s up for discussion now.

Dobrovolny said hard-surface material options for the temporary path include asphalt, concrete, brick, rubber, geocell (a type of structural soil that can be used as a harder surface) and crushed stone.

Each has advantages and disadvantages, along with cost implications. Some would also be a better fit for permanent as opposed to temporary installation, according to Dobrovolny.

“We’re putting forward a range of options that technically exist,” he said.

Examples of the materials in use across the city include rubber running tracks and geocell material next to buildings and condos. Crushed stone can be found on paths in some city parks.

“In some of our parks, we have stone and asphalt side by side,” added Dobrovolny. “For example, beside Trout Lake, there’s a crushed stone walking path next to an asphalt cycling path.”

That said, when given an option, sometimes pedestrians opt to use the bike path in dry weather to avoid getting dusty or to avoid getting muddy in rainy weather.

Strollers and wheelchairs can be used on crushed stone.

“But we also know clearly from our work with advisory committees that the smoother the surface, the more accessible it is and the more comfortable it is. Like I said, with any of these there are advantages and disadvantages,” Dobrovolny said.

One of the criticisms some residents have about asphalt is its aesthetics.

“We use asphalt and concrete as our standard. When you look at all the new sections of the seawall, there’s asphalt for cyclists, there’s concrete for pedestrians,” Dobrovolny said. “They’re smooth, hard surfaces that stand not only the test of time, but are also based on input we’ve received from a whole variety of stakeholders. But we’re happy to sit back and have a discussion now and listen to more feedback.”

City staff will report back on the consultation meetings in October and the temporary path is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The public workshops run from 1 to 3 p.m., Sept. 17, 7 to 9 p.m., Sept. 21 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 22.

Further information, including the locations of the workshops, can be found on the city website at vancouver.ca/arbutus-greenway.

noconnor@vancourier.com

@naoibh