A renewed emphasis on creating an alternate highway has been put into the integrated transportation study (ITS).
The decision was made as the ITS was given some final tweaks by Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) directors at their May 6 special planning and development committee.
"This is kind of the final pulling together of all of the recommendations we have for this report that we've been working on together for several years," said West Howe Sound director Lee Turnbull.
The report, done by ISL Engineering, looks at road networks, land use planning, air and sea travel, roadway capacity, transit, pedestrians, cycling, green house gas emissions and traffic safety in an effort to create a consolidated regional approach to transportation and land development on the Sunshine Coast.
The plan has been changed and updated after much input from the public and directors, and a final draft report was presented for director input and changes at last Friday's meeting.
At the beginning of the meeting, former Sechelt Indian Band Chief Stan Dixon asked that directors not forget the vision of an alternative highway for the Sunshine Coast, which is something that has been lobbied for and talked about for dozens of years.
"We have Stan's request that we highlight the importance of this alternative route, that we've talked about for many, many years and not just let the conversation die with this report, but that we carry on and at least keep the effort up," Turnbull said.
Gibsons Mayor Barry Janyk said that an alternative route is desperately needed in Gibsons to alleviate ferry traffic concerns.
"Certainly the priority for Gibsons is to find an alternative to Highway 101 running through the town. We'd love to see it running outside of the municipality and adjacent to it," Janyk said.
Elphinstone director Lorne Lewis agreed.
Sechelt Coun. Keith Thirkell also said an alternate route needs to be developed to keep highway traffic outside of Sechelt and noted, "This is our last chance for a while to at least have that broader discussion."
Directors from Halfmoon Bay and Pender Harbour/Egmont said they were happy with the highway as it stands now because it doesn't interfere with their communities.
But Roberts Creek director Donna Shugar said an alternate route that would go through upper Roberts Creek is not an option.
"People in Roberts Creek are saying, 'We're good with Gibsons and Sechelt at those ends planning an alternative, and where it interfaces with Roberts Creek, let's be part of that discussion.' To do the rest of it is not on the table right now, and we don't want it to be on the table, so why can't we just accept the bookend concept with a future route to be discussed at that time. It doesn't take it off the table. It just puts it in the proper perspective," Shugar said.
Directors supported the "bookend" concept proposed by Shugar and urged Gibsons and Sechelt to talk with the Ministry of Transportation and Highways to determine which community should be considered first for an alternative highway route.
While all agreed to call attention to the need for alternative highway options, it was noted the price tag attached is hefty and work is not expected to start soon.
"I think most of the report is focused on, OK, if we can't have that now, then what is it we need to do to make our communities more livable and safe in the meantime, given the funding Ministry of Transportation and Highways is giving us in a realistic way," Turnbull said.
Those ideas include erecting traffic lights, lengthening and installing turning lanes, increasing bus frequency, creating bike paths and walkways and fixing troublesome intersections, for example.
The ITS plan with all its changes will come back to the SCRD board at a future meeting for approval, and then it will be forwarded to the ministry to help guide future planning on the Coast.
SCRD board chair Garry Nohr is optimistic the plan will be used as it is intended and pointed to recent highway improvements as signs that the ministry is listening to the Coast's concerns.
"In some cases, you'll notice the plan being used," Nohr said. "They're already putting a light in at Reed and North Road. They've done some upgrades out towards Halfmoon Bay already, and they've put the turn lane in on Norwest Bay Road. So if you look along the Coast in many different areas, you'll see little clean ups that are being done already that are in that study. That's a good indication they're listening and paying attention to it."
