Walkers, strollers, and even joggers may be thrilled to hear about the planned extension coming to the Chinook Parkway now that the paving work has been contracted out. 

While it has been known for a while that this was coming, Monday night at city council, the City of Swift Current revealed exactly which company will be taking on the paving work during the expansion. 

Southwest Paving Ltd. was the loan bidder on the tender. They have been awarded the Active Transportation Pathway Extension - Pathway Paving contract, for a total cost of a little over $191,000. 

Greg Parsons, general manager of infrastructure for the City of Swift Current, detailed how this expansion bridges a dangerous gap from Highway 4 to Adams Street. 

"The Trans-Canada Highway and Memorial Drive are constraints for pedestrians as they both create a barrier," said Parsons. "Any pedestrian destined to facilities on either side of the highway are serviced by only two formal pedestrian crossings."

Those two crossings are located on Central Avenue North and 11th Avenue Northwest respectively. 

Part of the money for this contract comes from the federal government's active transportation fund. Swift Current is receiving a hair over $329,000 from Ottawa on the pathway, with the City of Swift Current grant contribution coming in at $219,500. 

"This connection will provide pedestrians an alternative location to safely cross to reach amenities on either side of the highway," said Parsons. "And will help to prevent dangerous jaywalking across the Trans-Canada Highway."

Parsons did not have exact dates for the work, but stated that it will begin as soon as the weather allows it.