While a highway bypass may still be decades away, local governments are banding together to find more short-term, practical solutions to the Coast's transportation problems.
The public got its first chance to see dozens of proposed changes along Sunshine Coast roadways at open houses Tuesday, March 24, as part of the Sunshine Coast Regional District's (SCRD) integrated transportation study.
The purpose of the study, lead engineer Bernard Abelson said, is to "come up with really practical solutions, as opposed to far-out plans, that are more cost-effective and can actually be realized in the near to short-term and then make some real impacts and benefits for the community."
The overall goals of the changes are to increase safety, make travel more efficient, encourage cycling and walking and, ultimately, lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Included in the recommendations are a series of minor changes like adding crosswalks in Davis Bay, more left turn lanes, exit lanes and pavement markings at busy Highway 101 intersections. The plan also suggests rerouting sections of the highway where there are sharp turns - especially in the Pender Harbour area.
The plan calls for making certain roads more bike and pedestrian friendly, more bicycle infrastructure, designated ride share parking lots and tweaking transit services to be more appealing to riders.
Beyond the minor changes, the study recommends more substantial changes like increasing the number of lanes on Highway 101 and Teredo Street in Sechelt from two to four and placing a roundabout or traffic circle on North Road in Gibsons that leads to a new bypass north of Reed Road.
SCRD senior planner Mark McMullen said while people are often skeptical of roundabouts, approval ratings for them tend to be almost universally positive when people have had a chance to use them.
The proposed one for North Road features a large island with a garden and signage making it a "gateway" to Gibsons. He said keeping through-traffic off Gibsons Way would make travel in town easier, especially when ferry traffic is coming in.
Gibsons council has sent a letter to the SCRD approving the study's recommendations.
McMullen said public feedback was "cautiously optimistic" based on the open houses and the most common question was how the various improvements could be paid for.
While there is no promise that any of the projects will be funded, McMullen said if the SCRD and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure adopt the plan, it will serve as a guide for future decisions on road improvements.
"We can at least get a commitment for the province to do the work as per the plan," he said.
The presentation from the open houses is available at the SCRD's website, and McMullen is still encouraging public feedback from those who want to check it out.
