The province issued a request for proposals (RFP) on Nov. 26 seeking a consultant to undertake the Sunshine Coast fixed link study. The study will aim to find a feasible alternative to ferry transportation between the Coast and the Lower Mainland.
Proposals must be in by Dec. 10 and the chosen proponent will have until “late summer” 2016 to explore options and create a draft report for the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
The RFP stipulates the consultant hired can’t spend more than $250,000 on the effort that will examine at least four possible fixed link routes.
The four possible routes identified to date include a Powell River to Highway 99 road link, a Port Mellon to Squamish road link, a Port Mellon to Highway 99 bridge link and an Earls Cove to Saltery Bay bridge link.
“Combinations and permutations of these may also be feasible, including options that retain some ferry component,” the RFP states.
The province decided to move forward with a fixed link study earlier this year, after various Sunshine Coast elected officials and fixed link advocates pressed the province for a transportation alternative to ferry and plane service.
“This fixed link may be an opportunity to improve access and reliability for businesses, residents and visitors and, in so doing, will foster growth and economic development for the Sunshine Coast,” the RFP stated.
“There is also interest in determining if the Sunshine Coast [through a fixed link] can attract new development not obtainable through existing transportation options.”
