New T'Railway Crossing at Commonwealth Avenue

At the City of Mount Pearl, we believe that small, smart changes can lead to meaningful improvements in the daily lives of our residents, especially when it comes to safety and active transportation. These are the everyday details that shape how we experience our community: how we get around, how connected we feel, and how confident we are when choosing to walk, bike, or roll instead of drive.

That’s why we’re taking an important step forward by upgrading the T’Railway pedestrian crossing at Commonwealth Avenue, one of the most-used, yet least-protected trail access points in our city. This intersection has been a long-standing gap in our active transportation network. Despite its lack of formal infrastructure, it sees constant use, with over 60% of trail users choosing to cross at this very spot.

We’ve heard the concerns. We’ve seen the need. And now, we’re taking action.

This project is our commitment to doing better. It’s about turning an informal, high-risk crossing into a safe, accessible, and thoughtfully designed connection that respects the role the T’Railway plays in our city’s mobility, recreation, and sense of place. Because everyone deserves to move through their community with confidence, no matter how they choose to travel.

The T’Railway isn’t just a path through nature, it’s a lifeline that weaves through the heart of Mount Pearl. It connects neighbourhoods, provides a peaceful route for daily commutes, and offers space to recharge, reflect, or reconnect. Whether you’re walking your dog, heading to work on your bike, pushing a stroller, or going for a weekend jog, the trail is part of how we live, move, and thrive as a community.

The T’Railway is a car-free alternative that promotes healthy lifestyles and supports a more sustainable city. It’s also one of the few places where residents of all ages and abilities can travel safely and comfortably, on their own terms.

Despite the absence of these features, this crossing remains one of the most frequently used access points on the T’Railway. Its popularity highlights the strong demand for a direct and convenient route, underscoring the value of investing in a well-designed, inclusive connection that serves residents of all ages and abilities.

This project recognizes that need. It’s about respecting how people already use this space, and responding with infrastructure that meets them where they are. By improving the crossing, we’re not only making it safer, we’re reinforcing the value of the T’Railway as a vital part of how our community moves, grows, and stays connected.

We’re rethinking how people, bikes, and vehicles interact at this critical point. Here’s what’s coming:

A Pedestrian Half-Signal

This user-activated traffic signal will allow pedestrians and cyclists to safely trigger a stop for traffic, offering clear guidance for both trail users and drivers.

Trail Realignment

The crossing will shift slightly south to ensure it’s perpendicular to the roadway. This simple adjustment improves sightlines and makes it easier for everyone to see what’s coming — whether you’re on foot, bike, or behind the wheel.

Traffic Calming Enhancements

A raised median island in the centre of Commonwealth Avenue will help reduce vehicle speeds while also giving people crossing a safe midway “refuge” between lanes.

Right-In/Right-Out at Glendale Avenue

To reduce turning conflicts and improve flow, this intersection will be modified so that vehicles can only turn right in or out. This simplifies the traffic pattern and helps reduce risks at an already complex spot.

This project is about setting the stage for tomorrow.

By making thoughtful, strategic upgrades now, we’re not only improving safety and accessibility in the short term, we’re laying the groundwork for a larger vision of how people move through Mount Pearl. These enhancements are a key first step toward what’s identified in our long-term Find Your Centre Plan: a grade-separated crossing at this location, such as an underpass or pedestrian bridge, that would fully eliminate conflict points between trail users and vehicle traffic.

Creating a grade-separated crossing is a complex, long-term project that requires careful planning, design, and funding. But before we can build that future, we need to build momentum.

By realigning the trail, installing safety infrastructure, and improving visibility and flow, we’re preparing the space, physically and functionally, for a more ambitious transformation down the road. At the same time, these upgrades deliver real, immediate benefits to the thousands of people who use this crossing each year.

This is how we move forward: by taking smart, incremental steps that honour today’s needs while unlocking tomorrow’s possibilities. It’s a proactive, people-first approach to urban planning, and it’s how we’re building a safer, more connected Mount Pearl, one project at a time.

We’re committed to transparency throughout this project. Here’s what the road ahead looks like:

• Summer 2025: Final design work and contractor selection

• Late Summer 2025: Construction begins

• Fall 2025: Crossing officially opens and becomes operational

We’ll be sharing regular updates on Hey Mount Pearl as we move through each stage.

Great projects don’t happen in isolation, they happen through collaboration, vision, and shared commitment. That’s why we’re especially proud to partner with Trans Canada Trail (TCT) on this important upgrade to the T’Railway crossing at Commonwealth Avenue.

Through their generous contribution of $30,000, TCT is helping to bring this project to life and ensuring it meets the high standards our community deserves. Their support reflects a growing recognition that investments in active transportation aren’t just local priorities, they’re national ones.

In addition to the funding from TCT, the City has applied for further financial support through other government and infrastructure programs. These additional funds will help ensure that every element of the crossing, from the signal technology to the lighting, signage, and trail alignment, meets the highest standards of safety, accessibility, and long-term durability.

By working together across municipal, regional, and national levels, we’re building momentum for a smarter, safer, and more inclusive transportation network that serves people first.

We’ll continue to keep the community informed as this project progresses. Your feedback and support are always welcome.

Register for Hey Mount Pearl and visit this page to stay up to date, follow our Facebook page, sign up for Citizen Alert, and explore the Find Your Centre plan to learn more about how Mount Pearl is investing in safer, more livable neighbourhoods.

Together, we’re building a city that moves, and a city that looks out for each other every step of the way.