Editor:
I have been reading about the petitions asking the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to change Gibsons Way back to four lanes. I can totally relate to the frustration people feel with the traffic jams that occur now as a result of the change in traffic flow, as I have been caught in it myself. I have found in my experience this occurs when ferry traffic is travelling through upper Gibsons.
I have been driving a school bus for the past 16 years and part of my route is four daily left hand turns out of Elphinstone Secondary School. I have found it much easier and safer now that there is only one lane of traffic each way. Another thing that has always bothered me was the close proximity of the pedestrians on the sidewalk to my bus as I travelled the outside lane on this stretch of road. I was always concerned for their safety as there wasn't much distance between the sidewalk and vehicular traffic. The new traffic flow has accommodated this safety issue nicely, leaving lots of room between the sidewalk and the motor vehicles.
I think the main issue with this change is the fact that ferry traffic has not been diverted from Upper Gibsons. I remember years ago ferry traffic was encouraged to use Reed Road as a bypass route. Perhaps this should be done again. How about adding a right turn lane only from North Road onto Reed and widening the corner of Reed and North with the lane to accommodate larger trucks? There is really no benefit having all this congestion in Upper Gibsons, as most of this traffic passes right through Gibsons without stopping.
With the exception of the ferry traffic problem, I believe the traffic flow changes are good.
Shelly Comerford
Gibsons
