SECHELT, B.C.—The Province of B.C. is asking Vancouver Island residents if there is a better path to improve the region’s highways.
Officials are asking Sunshine Coast locals to give input on long-term solutions to improve travel on the Highway 101 corridor between Sechelt and Gibsons, with public consultation underway on the Highway 101 Alternate Route Planning Study.
The province said the study will help the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, in partnership with shishalh Nation and in collaboration with Squamish Nation, identify preferred long-term routing for the corridor.
These decisions will then support local and regional governments in future land-use planning and support ministry highway infrastructure investment planning over the next 20 to 50 years.
Daily vehicle traffic on the highway has increased approximately 20 per cent in the past five years, mostly between Sechelt and Gibsons. Highway 101 also has wide seasonal variations and short bursts of congestion associated with ferry traffic.
“While there is no foreseeable need for a full, end-to-end bypass route based on demand alone, key locations could benefit from alternate routing and other changes that could address congestion, reliability and safety challenges,” stated the province.
Officials have invited residents to attend the virtual open house, which runs until July 28, and connect to one of two virtual information sessions on June 23 or June 29. To view the online engagement materials and complete an online survey, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/Highway101
Feedback received will be considered in shortlisting the options, with the preferred long-term solution identified by early 2023.
I’m not sure why the Province of BC would be asking Vancouver Island residents, when GIbsons, Sechelt and Hwy 101 aren’t on Vancouver Island! Surely they should be asking Sunshine Coast residents.
The proposed alternative highway route down Havis Street is a horrifying idea! As a Davis Bay Resident, this development would result in the destruction of a quiet, family orientated neighbourhood, not to mention the beloved Chapman Creek Trail network and extensive forest home to an astronomical amount of wildlife!