Grand Trunk Pathway (Xpilaxha Trail) Western Extension Project

This project has created a complete recreational and active transportation trail from the City of Terrace west to Kitsumkalum First Nation, linking the two communities. It also addressed safety issues along the popular route.

As part of ths project, the City of Terrace extended the western end of the what was previously named ''the Grand Trunk Pathway'. The pathway extended the already existing multi-use commuter and recreational pathway ending at Frank Street to the Kitsumkalum River bridge, along the northern portion of Highway 16 right-of-way.

As a final step, in May 2024, in recognition of Kitsumkalum traditional territory and the role Kitsumkalum tribal leaders Charles and Emma Nelson played in the establishment of the City of Terrace, the pathway was renamed the 'Xpilaxha – Charles and Emma Nelson Trail.'

May 2024 - On Friday, May 31, 2024, the City of Terrace and Kitsumkalum First Nation officially renamed the Grand Trunk Pathway 'Xpilaxha – Charles and Emma Nelson Trail'. A close approximation of the pronunciation would be “SPEE-la-haa”.

Read the full story.

Fall 2023 - The Grand Trunk Pathway western extension is complete! Work included paving of the full length of the pathway, landscaping and the installation of benches and garbage cans, which we are aiming to install this year.

The City of Terrace undertook the Grand Trunk Pathway (GTP) Master Plan in 2008 in order to guide the extension and completion of our primary pedestrian and cycling trail. The Plan’s vision saw the linking of downtown Terrace to the Kitsumkalum River to the west of the city.

The Master Plan contained a general, high-level design concept for the entire pathway, adopting the general character of the existing Millennium section, which was completed in 2002. Since the adoption of the GTP Master Plan, two of the three sections have been completed.

In 2018, the City of Terrace retained a consultant to conduct a feasibility review of the alignment for this final segment of the Grand Trunk Pathway, from Frank Street to the Kitsumkalum River Bridge. The feasibility review provided a high-level technical review of constraints and challenges of aligning the pathway on either the north or south side of Highway 16W between Frank Street and the Kitsumkalum River Bridge.

Based on the evaluation criteria and stakeholder input, the proposed north alignment was considered the most feasible option in terms of land availability/permitting requirements and cost/constructability. This work was completed in the Fall of 2023.
On July 7, 2020, the City of Terrace was awarded a $500,000 Rural Community Development Grant, which allowed the City to go ahead with the Grand Trunk Pathway Completion and Connection Project: Terrace to Kitsumkalum. Run through the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, this program is providing nearly $14 million in grants for more than 150 projects that support economic development and recreational opportunities in rural communities throughout British Columbia. The City of Terrace gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the province of British Columbia for this project.

Read the news release

In March 2020, Council also allocated $505,000 from the 2019 Gas Tax Program (Community Works fund) towards this project, which is projected to cost $1 million to complete.