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Letters: We say ‘no’ to Roberts Creek bypass proposal

'Your study states that it could help save up to 1.8 minutes of commute time between Gibsons and Sechelt. The relocation of individuals in our communities through expropriation, the environmental degradation and disruption of wildlife and habitat along the new highway route plus the enormous financial cost of construction does not seem a price worth paying to save 1.8 minutes of commute time.'
Map of Highway 101 alternate routes
BC's Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is developing a long-term plan for Highway 101 between Gibsons and Sechelt: "Highway 101 Alternate Route Planning Study."

Editor: 

The following letter was addressed to Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Rob Fleming and operations manager at the ministry, Michael Braun, and shared with Coast Reporter. 

Members of our committee watched your information session regarding the new highway options for the Sunshine Coast with great interest on June 23, 2022. 

The Roberts Creek Official Community Plan Committee (OCPC) is opposed to the proposed new highway running right through Roberts Creek along the power lines. It would destroy a community and cut off parts of close-knit neighborhoods from each other. The community would not be able to walk/cycle/ride between areas of Roberts Creek as they do now. The expropriation of homes and properties will destroy the lives of many. Considerable environmental concerns for wildlife corridors, habitat, storm water management and pollution from vehicle traffic are not being taken fully into account with this invasive highway construction through Roberts Creek and the South Coast.   

Your study states that it could help save up to 1.8 minutes of commute time between Gibsons and Sechelt. The relocation of individuals in our communities through expropriation, the environmental degradation and disruption of wildlife and habitat along the new highway route plus the enormous financial cost of construction does not seem a price worth paying to save 1.8 minutes of commute time. 

The existing highway 101 through Roberts Creek could use some safety improvements, which would come at a fraction of the cost (financial, societal and environmental). This includes: 

• lighting sections of the highway 

• lower speed limits in stretches through Roberts Creek 

• left turn lanes at Cliff Gilker Park and Flume Road 

•  increased public transportation options 

• separate bike/walking paths 

We will be watching this discussion with interest and would like to invite any of your team to our OCPC meetings. 

Thank you, 

Elaine Futterman 

Chair, Roberts Creek Official Community Plan Committee