On this day in Trail history, in 1986, an official announcement was made to move forward with the proposed West Trail Approach.
The announcement came during a provincial election campaign and was promised by then-Premier Bill Vander Zalm.
The new approach would bypass the winding and narrow Smelter Hill, providing improved access to Oasis, Rivervale, and Genelle by cutting above the Trail Gulch.
The project, which cost $11 million, was finally completed years later on Sept. 29, 1990.
The grand opening was marked with much fanfare, including a parade led by the RCMP.
Minister of Highways Rita Johnston and former Mayor Marc Marcolin had the honour of cutting the ribbon, marking the culmination of this momentous achievement.
Johnston earned a few laughs from the crowd when she recalled the Premier’s campaign promise nearly four years earlier, joking, “That’s why the provincial election hasn’t been called yet—we wanted to make sure this project was completed.”
She added, “You definitely have something to celebrate, as you’ve been waiting a long while.”
The City of Trail completed the public sector portion of Rossland Avenue, and the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary constructed the fire hall and offices just 50 yards from where the project began.
Both initiatives, along with the West Trail Approach, aimed to beautify that part of town and address safety concerns in the area.
The project had been nearly two decades in the making, from its first draft to completion.
Site selection was completed in time for the 1979 provincial election, and in 1980 the land was acquired, leading to the displacement of 38 families and five businesses.
The CP Rail overpass was built in 1984, and the Trail Creek culvert was relocated in 1988.
Reflecting on the slow progress over the years, former Mayor Marcolin quipped, “We called it the Olympic Highway because something only seemed to happen every four years.”
Despite the intermittent progress, the project was ultimately completed ahead of schedule, within budget, and widely celebrated.
The West Trail Approach remains in use to this day.
Were you at the event?