Bus routes scheduled to change this May to avoid what’s been deemed a dangerous intersection could cause “great hardship,” say Flume Road residents.
Residents of the Ikelon Trailer Court on Flume Road in Roberts Creek submitted a petition to the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD), imploring them to rethink their decision to halt bus service up Flume Road in Roberts Creek.
“This move will cause great hardship to people with limited mobility and limited income,” reads the petition, which was signed by 36 of the approximately 50 Ikelon Trailer Court residents, most of whom are seniors, states the petition.
Starting in May, buses heading to Sechelt from Gibsons will travel from Beach Avenue up Marlene Road and turn left onto the Sunshine Coast Highway, rather than travelling up Flume Road and turning left there. Southbound buses would use the current route.
A 2019 safety study, conducted by the SCRD and BC Transit, found there is “a significant risk” of an accident for buses turning onto the highway at Flume Road. The study also identified the need for a long-term solution, as the bus rerouting is considered a temporary measure.
The problem, say Flume Road residents, is that there is no safe highway crossing for pedestrians who choose to get off on the highway, and the walk from the new Marlene stop is too far for seniors and others with mobility challenges.
“There is no crossing on the highway at Flume, and if it is a dangerous intersection for a bus then it is an exceedingly dangerous intersection for pedestrians,” wrote resident Janet Walters in support of the petition. “The residents of Roberts Creek deserve to be able to use the transit system safely, and this is clearly not safe.”
By way of solution, the petition suggested a traffic light be installed at the top of Flume Road.
No bus accidents have occurred at the intersection – a point acknowledged by SCRD directors when discussing the petition at a March 19 infrastructure services committee meeting.
Roberts Creek director Andreas Tize called it a “difficult dilemma” and suggested the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure be involved in the solution, while Gibsons director David Croal asked about the possibility of installing a bus-activated light. Staff said a funding program for safety improvements does exist that BC Transit could apply for.
According to the ministry’s criteria, the site is not eligible for a pedestrian crossing, but the ministry would welcome more input from the SCRD to clarify the issue, according to infrastructure general manager Remko Rosenboom.
A faster solution would be to reduce the speed limit on the highway in that area, said District of Sechelt director Darnelda Siegers. “That would require some signage, and that could have an impact on the safety for our buses and for our residents, immediately,” she said.
Directors voted to send the petition to the transportation ministry with a letter, which would include a request for a controlled pedestrian crossing, a bus-activated light, or alternative options at the Flume Road location. While those options are considered, an immediate “amended speed zone” would be requested.
They also directed staff to follow up with the ministry in three months.
No motion was passed to change the May start date for the route change.
