Traffic and highway safety engineers will inspect a 30-kilometre section of the Sunshine Coast Highway from Langdale to the north end of Sechelt, according to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Details of the review were included in a letter by Transportation Minister Claire Trevena to the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD). The letter responded to one sent by SCRD chair Lori Pratt in support of two Elphinstone community groups, who circulated a petition with 500 signatures demanding pedestrian safety between Lower Road and Henry Road on Highway 101.
The group, which includes the Elphinstone Community Association and Woodcreek Park Neighbourhood Association, asked that the speed limit drop to 60 km/h from 80 km/h, and for a crosswalk or vehicle-activated traffic light to be installed.
Trevena noted in the letter that ministry staff had reviewed that section of highway in 2011 and completed “several improvements to enhance pedestrian safety,” such as lighting and widening the shoulder, in addition to an overhead light installed in 2017 at the intersection with Oceanview Drive.
She singled out the 2.4-kilometre section between Lower and Payne roads in her letter, “in recognition of the time elapsed since our last review of this corridor.” The study will analyze whether “further pedestrian safety measures are merited” and a speed survey will be conducted. The work will be undertaken in the spring to ensure optimal conditions.
Directors briefly discussed the letter at a Feb. 7 SCRD committee meeting, but the letter itself was dated Jan. 24, the same day Don Legeault of the transportation ministry spoke about the corridor review to the SCRD transportation committee. Specifics about which section of highway would be reviewed were not shared at that time.
At the Feb. 7 meeting, directors voted to request more details from the ministry about the scope of the project.
Another petition, this one by highway safety lobby group SC101, is expected to be presented by Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons at the legislature this spring. That group wants a new highway and safety improvements.
