VANCOUVER ISLAND COMMUNITY MEETING REPORT

B.C. on the Move: A 10-Year Transportation Plan V A N C O U V E R I S L A N D Community Meeting Report

In September 2014, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure,  Jordan Sturdy, met with over 70 groups on Vancouver Island.  Priorities were discussed with First Nations, local governments, Chambers of Commerce and other community leaders. 

KEY THEME SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

Throughout these meetings, Parliamentary Secretary Sturdy heard about the need for continued investment in the Island’s transportation network to support communities and local economies.  The priorities are set out in the following report on the meetings held. Priorities raised included reducing congestion on key corridors, increasing multi-modal connections between communities, adding cycling infrastructure for commuters and tourists and continuing to improve our marine ports, ferry system and airports.  Vancouver Island’s priorities heard in these meetings formed a key part of the B.C. on the Move public engagement process and were taken into consideration as the 10-year provincial transportation plan was developed.

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Highway 1 • Malahat

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1. VICTORIA Monday, September 8, 2014 • 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2. VICTORIA Monday, September 8, 2014 • 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3.

DUNCAN Tuesday, September 9, 2014 • 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

KEY THEME SUMMARY

COMMUNITY MEETING DATES AND LOCATIONS

4. NANAIMO Tuesday, September 9, 2014 • 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 5. NANAIMO Tuesday, September 9, 2014 • 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 6.

PORT ALBERNI Wednesday, September 10, 2014 • 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

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PORT ALBERNI Wednesday, September 10, 2014 • 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

8. COURTENAY Thursday, September 11, 2014 • 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 9.

COURTENAY Thursday, September 11, 2014 • 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

10.

CAMPBELL RIVER Monday, September 15, 2014 • 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

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CAMPBELL RIVER Monday, September 15, 2014 • 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

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PORT HARDY Tuesday, September 16, 2014 • 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

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PORT MCNEILL Tuesday, September 16, 2014 • 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

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PORT HARDY Tuesday, September 16, 2014 • 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

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CAMPBELL RIVER Wednesday, September 17, 2014 • 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

16. NANAIMO Wednesday, September 17, 2014 • 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 17. VICTORIA Thursday, September 18, 2014 • 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

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Highway 1 • north of Duncan

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MEETING 1.

VICTORIA Monday, September 8, 2014 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

KEY THEMES 1.

SAANICH Highways/Transit/Cycling: Planning should focus on shifting away from cars (e.g., transit and cycling).

2.

Highways: McKenzie Interchange—want a working group for the planning process put in place for the design (flyover, HOV lanes, Transit).

3.

Transit: More transit service to colleges and universities.

4.

NORTH SAANICH Transit: Want bus service to Dean Park.

5.

Cycling: Assistance with cycling infrastructure.

6.

Highways: Improve landscaping around McTavish Interchange.

• Town of Esquimalt

7.

CENTRAL SAANICH Highways: Build Keating Interchange at Highway 17 to Keating Business Park.

• City of Langford

8.

Transit: Build Park and Ride facility connected to express transit service (currently no connection).

9.

Highways: Build Stelly’s Cross Road interchange.

• Saanich • District North Saanich • District of Central Saanich • City of Victoria • District of Sooke • Town of View Royal

• Capital Regional District • Chamber of Commerce Port Renfrew

KEY THEME SUMMARY

KEY THEME SUMMARY

VICTORIA 10. Ports: Continue to redevelop Belleville Terminal.

• Town of Sidney

11. Airport: Expand Victoria Airport.

• District of Oak Bay

12. Transit: Bus only lanes. 13. Highways & Side Roads: Bay Street Bridge replacement—connection between south western communities and Royal Inland Hospital. SOOKE 14. Highways: Support Westshore connector as a connection to Highway 1. 15. Highways: McKenzie Interchange is a priority. 16. Cycling and Transit: Upgrades to Sooke Rd—enhanced transit and cycling. 17. Highways: Develop a regional plan that matches land use with transportation needs. VIEW ROYAL 18. The provincial plan needs to address economic benefit and the wellbeing of residents of the island. 19. Highways: McKenzie Interchange—is a priority. 20. Highways: Enhance Malahat safety. 21. Rail: Consider Island Corridor as an alternate to using a car.

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MEETING 1.

VICTORIA CONT’D

KEY THEMES ESQUIMALT 22. Transit: Better mass transit connections to Department of National Defence and Esquimalt Graving Dock—6000 to 8000 workers /day. 23. Highways: McKenzie interchange improvement; pedestrian facilities on Admirals Road. 24. Ferries: Belleville Terminal—priority. LANGFORD 25. Highways: Help with connecting Westshore Parkway through to Highway 14; southbound off-ramp at the Leigh Road Interchange; connection between Leigh Road and McCallum Road. 26. Transit: E & N commuter connection from Westshore to town. CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT (MAYOR OF CENTRAL SAANICH) 27. Highways: Continued improvement to the Pacific Marine Circle Route. 28. Complete a regional transportation plan. SIDNEY 29. Highways: Beacon Overpass—cost increased due to soft soils and would like a higher provincial cost share. 30. Highways: Lochside Road repairs plus a new roundabout. 31. Ferries: Establishment of a foot ferry connection to the Gulf Islands. OAK BAY 32. Transit: Focus on transit improvements OTHER ISSUES 33. Highways: Congestion on Highway 1 at the Western Communities means people stop delivering at 3:00 because of delays getting back. 34. Rail: Investment in rail for goods movement and commuters. 35. Ferries: Seismic reliability of ferry terminals is a concern. 36. Highways: Focus on safety; Highway 17 access to rowing center; pedestrian crossings between Sayward and Royal Oak. 37. Highways: Reconfigure McKenzie to add double right turn lanes and separate the Galloping Goose. 38. Highways: Cell communication along Pacific Marine Route. 39. Highways: Improvements to Highway 14 between Jordan River and Lost Creek. 40. Highways: Require slow vehicles to use pullouts along Highway 14.

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VICTORIA Meeting with Victoria Airport/ Harbour Authority and Island Corridor Monday, September 8, 2014 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. • Greater Victoria Harbour Authority • Victoria Airport Authority • Island Corridor Foundation

KEY THEMES 1.

HARBOUR AUTHORITY Create the environment for investment that will drive the economy.

2.

Highways: Need to remove bottlenecks such as McKenzie and Tillicum on Highway 1 and Sayward on Highway 17.

3.

Develop partnerships for improvements.

VICTORIA AIRPORT AUTHORITY 4. Governance of harbour airport. 5.

6.

KEY THEME SUMMARY

MEETING

Highways: Malahat is a priority; remove bottlenecks up and down the island so trade can continue to move. ISLAND CORRIDOR FOUNDATION Rail: • Expand freight; • Excursion trips for tourists;

• Esquimalt First Nation

• Commuter rail between Nanaimo and Victoria; and • Connection to Nanaimo harbour and Island Ferry service. 7.

Rail: • Repairs based on replacement of 1 in 4 ties to get up to a class 3 level; • Investment based on 10 years of operation; • Link to Annasis island freight terminal.

ESQUIMALT FIRST NATION 10. Highways: Issues with Admirals Rd • Traffic light at Seenupin Rd; • Do not want to move Thomas Rd; • Bus does not stop on Reserve Lands.

Highway 1 • Malahat, near Whittaker Road by Shawnigan Lake

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MEETING 3.

DUNCAN

KEY THEMES DUNCAN Highways: Pedestrian and cycling improvements on Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) to increase tourism (multiuse paths, widened sidewalks).

Meeting with Local Government

1.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

2.

Highways: Relieve congestion on TCH (through Duncan and North Cowichan).

• Cowichan Valley Regional District

3.

Highways: TCH access management and providing alternative local road connections. Limit accesses onto TCH, expand local road network.

• City of Duncan

4.

• District of North Cowichan

Highway and Side Roads: Intersection Safety Improvements at TCH/Beverly and TCH/Trunk. Signal phasing to increase pedestrian safety and minimize vehicle conflicts.

5.

Highways: Concerns around community impacts of a TCH bypass route. Duncan – don’t need a bypass today, but need to plan for one in the future.

6.

Highways: Lack of pedestrian facilities on Allenby Road —high volumes.

7.

Rail: Supportive of E&N rail, however also need to focus on long term use as an alternate mode corridor. Trail within rail right-of-way multiuse path would have significant tourism benefits.

• Town of Lake Cowichan • Cowichan Chamber of Commerce • City of Nanaimo

1.

DISTRICT OF NORTH COWICHAN Highways: TCH improvements—safety and congestion need to be focused; don’t see the need for a bypass for decades at the earliest— want to keep traffic where it is but move it more efficiently.

3.

Side Road: Crofton Road needs improvements—poor condition and lack of shoulders.

4.

Ferry: Consider free ferry for Penelakut Island—cost is debilitating for residents.

1.

LAKE COWICHAN Highways: Safety/wildlife concerns on Highway 18 (deer/elk)— consider wildlife fencing, elk crossings and brushing back tree line.

1.

COWICHAN VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT Side Roads: Want to see possible road access to Nitinat area within CVRD. Significant tourism benefits.

2.

Highways: Need a TCH bypass through Duncan in the future, and should get started on the planning and property acquisition.

3.

Highways and Transit: Cowichan Valley BC Transit Commuter Service very successful and there is a need to expand park and rides.

4.

Highways and Transit: Want to see future transit connections to Nanaimo—CVRD needs to expand ~7 km to the North and RDN ~5 km to the south. Natural transit exchange/HUB at Nanaimo Airport.

3.

4.

DUNCAN CONT’D

NANAIMO Meeting with Local Government Tuesday, September 9, 2014 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. • Parksville

KEY THEMES 1.

NANAIMO Ferry: Highly supportive of Nanaimo–Vancouver Passenger Ferry Service.

2.

Rail: Supportive of E&N Rail in principle and ICF.

3.

Transportation Hub: Keen interest in seeing a downtown Nanaimo transportation hub (ferry, rail, float planes and transit. Transfer Station from rail to bus to ferry [large exchange to support economy and downtown].

4.

Highways: Intersection Improvements—new signal at Highway 1 / Old Victoria / Haliburton in Nanaimo to improve safety and access for industrial traffic.

5.

Highways and Side Roads: Snow clearing concerns between City and MoTI standards.

6.

Port: Want to grow export/import opportunities from Nanaimo to/from China. Port ships non-stop from Nanaimo to China—huge opportunity.

1.

• Qualicum Beach

PARKSVILLE Rail: Trail in rail right-of-way important for people and tourism. Train on E&N important for goods and economy.

2.

Transit: Need for improved transit interconnectivity between regions (Courtenay to Deep Bay to Nanaimo) – limited service through Handy Dart.

3.

Cycling: Desirable cycling/trail routes: Parksville to Coombs (new RDN trail) and look for links from Parksville to Hornby / Denman Island and trails parallel to Highway 19A (ocean views).

• Lantzville 4.

KEY THEME SUMMARY

MEETING

LANTZVILLE Commercial Trucking: No designated rest stop areas able to accommodate large commercial vehicles (ie: Btrains) for truckers to pull off between Victoria and Campbell River—impacts industry. Need to consider commercial truck stops.

5.

Highways and Side Roads: MoTI needs to work with RCMP to reduce investigation time frames after crashes.

6.

Highways and Side Roads: Intersection improvements—will Lantzville Road/Highway 19 be signalized to promote development near Lantzville (e.g., access to a business).

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MEETING 4.

NANAIMO CONT’D • Parksville • Lantzville • Qualicum Beach

KEY THEMES 7.

QUALICUM BEACH Rail: ICF not a viable transportation corridor for movement of goods so consider repurposing corridor as a trail.

8.

Roads: Need for network redundancy if Highway 19 were closed (Lantzville to Nanoose)—could consider rail corridor in an emergency.

9.

Airport: Airport is municipally funded, serving the region —difficulty to sustain on their own as no federal funding (fast and inexpensive flights to YVR south)—looking for assistance in developing airport lands.

10. Highways /Side Roads: Devolved roads have significant funding impacts on small communities—would like to see upgrades or partnership support from MoTI (e.g., Memorial Avenue). 11. Highways: Need to look at Highway 19 to see if there is a need for another link between Parksville and Qualicum Beach exits to limit commercial vehicles and other traffic through municipalities.

5.

NANAIMO Meeting with Nanaimo Regional District and Airport Tuesday, September 9, 2014 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. • Regional District Nanaimo • Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce

1. 2.

3.

• Nanaimo Port Authority • Nanaimo Economic Development

Highways: Intersection Improvements: dual left turns on Nanaimo Parkway (Highway 19). NANAIMO AIRPORT Airport: Would like to see consideration from government for an Airport Vicinity Land Protection initiative—limit development adjacent to airport lands to minimize conflict with airport operations.

4.

Highways: Want to understand MoTI future vision for airport access to Highway 1 (via Spitfire or move to Timberlands Road) so they can plan internal road layouts and future tenants.

5.

Airport: Significant updates required for terminal expansion, runway overlays and parking stalls to accommodate more airplanes—seeking government funding for cost sharing.

• Nanaimo Airport • Alberni-Clayquot Regional District

REGIONAL DISTRICT NANAIMO Transit: Need for bus jumpers/queue lanes and potential park and ride facilities.

5.

NANAIMO CONT’D

KEY THEMES 6.

ALBERNI-CLAYQUOT REGIONAL DISTRICT Highways: Need for tourism circle route and alternate access to Highway 4 (could be Horne Lake or a connection to the North via Comox Lake).

7.

Airport: Airport needs GPS and extended runway.

8.

Highways: Improve pedestrian safety on Highway 4 through Cathedral Grove.

9.

KEY THEME SUMMARY

MEETING

NANAIMO PORT AUTHORITY Rail: Supports E&N and sees possibility of excursion trains for cruise ship day trips.

10. Port: Wants to double the size of the Deep Sea Terminal.

6.

PORT ALBERNI Meeting with Local Government, Chamber of Commerce, Airport and Port Authority Wednesday, September 10, 2014 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. • Tofino and Port Alberni Airport

TOFINO AND PORT ALBERNI AIRPORT 1. Airport: Tofino has issues with visibility due to trees in the National Park impacting approach clearance—needs new GPS approach. 2.

Airport: Alberni Valley is primarily industrial—no scheduled commercial flights; Alberni Valley needs GPS and expanded runway.

PORT ALBERNI PORT AUTHORITY 3. Port: Under utilized deep sea port; PAPA has an MoU with Hyaout First Nations, who are working towards an agreement to get LNG. 4.

Highways: Supportive of a new highway to strengthen the economy and link to the port.

• Port Alberni Port Authority

PORT ALBERNI 5. Highways: Supports alternate highway connection to Highway 19 other than Highway 4 (e.g., Horne Lake connector).

• Port Alberni

6.

Highways: Improve safety and parking in Cathedral Grove (Highway 4).

• Tofino

7.

• Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce

Highways: Promote tourism in the Alberni Valley (e.g., improve access and parking to major tourist destinations).

8.

Rail: Supportive of ICF, however not the priority issue for the Alberni Valley.

• Hesquiaht First Nations 9.

TOFINO Transit: Looking to expand transit service to Ucluelet.

10. Highways: Want to see highway branding ‘adventure highway’ or ‘surf highway’ to promote the whole of the west coast.

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MEETING 6. PORT ALBERNI CONT’D.

KEY THEMES HESQUIAHT FIRST NATION 11. Accessibility: Concerns about accessibility to Hot Springs Cove (no road access; water access only). 12. Ferries: BC Ferries subsidized freight boat in the past. 13. Parking: Need regulation and parking management strategies for long term parking at Tofino Wharf (for residents heading to Hot Springs Cove via boat).

7.

PORT ALBERNI Meeting with Alberni First Nations Wednesday, September 10, 2014 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

1. 2.

Ferry: Remote water access to community and no scheduled ferry service.

3.

Medical Boat: Looking for a new medical boat with stretcher abilities ($250,000).

• Tyee Ha’wilth • Ahousaht

8.

COURTENAY Meeting with Regional District and Chambers of Commerce Thursday, September 11, 2014 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. • Comox Valley Regional District

1.

TYEE HA’WILTH FIRST NATION Highways: Want to see Maggie Lake Forest Service Road paved and made public to the community.

1.

COMOX VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT Highways: North Courtenay Connector an important project ‘northern gateway’ important access to new hospital, ferry and airport.

2.

Cycling: Need for cycling network connectivity—strong desire to see separate pathways within ministry right-of-way; cycling corridor between Comox and Courtenay important.

4.

Highways: Highway 19A—high number of accesses and high speeds —need turn lanes, access management, intersection improvements: Merville Gas Station, Sunnydale Golf Course and market.

5.

Transit: 25 year transit plan completed in 2014—connecting communities.

• Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce • Strathcona Regional District

AHOUSAHT FIRST NATION Parking: Need regulation and parking management strategies for long term parking at Tofino Wharf (for residents).

6.

STRATHCONA REGIONAL DISTRICT Ferries: Ferries are an extension of the highway system and strong motivator of economy.

7.

Transit: BC Transit—limited service and poor interconnection with ferry schedule (need to optimize linkages); no link from Campbell River to Gold River—need transit service.

8.

Highways: General concerns about condition of Highway 28 Buttle Lake Narrows to Quinsam Coal.

9.

Bridge: Want to see Saunders Bridge on Highway 28 between Campbell River and Gold River replaced (old wooden structure).

Meeting with Local Government Thursday, September 11, 2014 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. • Comox • Cumberland

KEY THEMES 1.

COMOX Cycling: Seal coat and spray patching needs to be avoided on key cycling roads (Anderton Road/Seal Bay Park) Use full paving.

2.

Cycling: Point Holmes—part in Comox and part in CVRD—need to partner with MoTI to get bike lanes.

3.

Highways: North Courtenay Connector an important “Northern Gateway” project for access to new hospital, ferry and airport; and replace existing single lane bridge (Dove Creek).

4.

Port: Comox Marina Park—need full time docking facility as currently docking at private marina, so planes can’t stay overnight —therefore limits peak hours of service.

• Courtenay

5.

KEY THEME SUMMARY

MEETING 9. COURTENAY

CUMBERLAND Highways: Upgrades to Comox Lake Road required (not MoTI road but leads to a key tourist destination at Comox Lake for camping and rock climbing).

COURTENAY 6. Highways: Importance of a North Courtenay Connector; need a third bridge crossing of River—29th Street or 11th Street.

10. CAMPBELL RIVER Meeting with Local Government Monday, September 15, 2014 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. • Gold River

7.

Cycling: Guthrie Road bike lanes—gap in the network between Courtenay and Comox as it falls within CVRD.

8.

Rail: Focus on rail and trail within the ICF corridor.

9.

Highways: Need to increase transit use in area.

1.

GOLD RIVER Highways: Want cell tower near Strathcona Lodge to get cell coverage on Highway 28; upgrade Highway 28—resurfacing.

2.

Highways: Need more RV campgrounds in North Island (promote tourism) and accommodate bike camping from May to September.

3.

Highways: Road Circle route from Campbell River to Zeballos to Tahsis to promise tourism (currently no road connection).

• Campbell River • Sayward • Zeballos

4.

CAMPBELL RIVER Air: Want to get Harbour Air—currently all helipads and float plane docks are private.

5.

Highways: Need to consider a future direct link to new hospital via Highway 19 @ Evergreen.

6.

Ports: Potential for container shipping with Quinsam Band in Campbell River area.

7.

Cycling: Improve cycling infrastructure between Comox Valley and Campbell River.

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MEETING 10. CAMPBELL RIVER CONT’D.

KEY THEMES 9.

SAYWARD Cycling: Want to see bike lanes from Highway 19 into the Village.

10. Transit: Want to see transit service form Sayward to Campbell River. 11. Marine Highway: Want to be part of Marine Highway—Browns Bay to Port Hardy, currently no place for boat fuel so working with DFO to get gas service. 12. Port: Need to dredge and expand harbour for safely of smaller boats and sufficient capacity for larger transient boats. 13. Highways: Need for passing lanes between Campbell River and Sayward; need for improved cellular coverage in the North Island— create cell service in rest areas. ZEBALLOS 14. Highways and Side Roads: • Need for re-paving and line painting from Woss North to Port Hardy; • Want to see improved winter maintenance; • Zeballos Forest Service Road needs to be improved—resurfacing or hard paved surface; • Maquina Road (closer to Zeballos and MoTI owned) —needs to be raised due to flooding; • Sugarloaf Bridge in Zeballos—needs to be replaced, inherited from logging company, main source of water comes over bridge, prevents people from coming to the community—want MoTI to take ownership.

11. CAMPBELL RIVER Meeting with Chamber and Campbell River Airport and Port Monday, September 15, 2014 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

CAMPBELL RIVER AIRPORT 1. Airport: Looking to develop lands around the airport as an aviation park; alternate landing site for Westjet. 3.

Port: Could be a vital link in the ‘Discover LNG’ Quicksilver plant north of Campbell River.

Meeting with Chamber of Commerce and Ports Tuesday, September 16, 2014 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. • Port McNeill Port Authority • Port Hardy Chamber of Commerce

KEY THEMES 1.

2.

Port: Small barge terminal looking to be expanded to accommodate larger vessels to supply LNG (good deep sea port potential at Hardy Bay).

3.

Port: There is a 10-year old business case indicating cost is $8–10M for deep sea terminal —want to undertake another study to see the viability of deep sea port.

4.

Tourism – Port: Tourism market with pocket cruise ships —dock in deep sea and transport passengers to Port Hardy.

5.

Highways: Install Highway 19 rumble strips from Telegraph Cove to Woss.

• District of Port Hardy • Port Hardy Port

PORT HARDY Airport: The port Hardy Airport is one of the few airports still owned by Transport Canada—want to see it divested to allow onsite development of economic opportunities (e.g., new terminal).

KEY THEME SUMMARY

MEETING 12. PORT HARDY

• Village of Alert Bay

13. PORT MCNEILL

PORT MCNEILL Highways: Intersection improvements: Highway 19: Campbell Way at Mine Road – school crossing (poor visibility and concern around accidents).

Meeting with Local Government and Chambers

1.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

2.

Highways and Transit: Need to look at regional transportation services —want BC Transit in area to connect communities.

• Port Hardy

3.

Tourism: Tourism potential in Cape Scott Park and North Coast Trail.

• Port Alice

4.

MOUNT WADDINGTON REGIONAL DISTRICT Highways: Want to see roads to Mt Cain and Schien Lake provincial campground have maintenance funded by MoTI.

• Port McNeill • Mount Waddington Regional District • Alert Bay

14. PORT HARDY Meeting with Port Hardy First Nations Tuesday, September 16, 2014 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

5.

Ferries: Malcolm Island is fully reliant on BC Ferries and service cuts have impacted residents.

6.

Highways: Concerns about size of winter aggregate.

7.

ALERT BAY Airport: Airport is mostly pleasure crafts but want to maintain it— need lighting for medivac and funding assistance to get fuel services.

8.

Ports: Looking to expand harbour by extending breakwater—need funding support as DFO only supports funding that relates to fishing.

9.

Highways: Concern about condition of Highway 19 north of Campbell River—resurfacing.

1.

EHATTESAHT FIRST NATION Highways: Concerns about access road into Zeballos Zeballos Forest Service Road—better road would improve tourism.

• Ehattesaht First Nation

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MEETING 15. CAMPBELL RIVER

KEY THEMES

Meeting with Campbell River First Nations

1.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

2.

• Homalco First Nation

Meeting with Islands Trust Wednesday, September 17, 2014 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

17. VICTORIA Meeting with Colwood/ Metchosin/Highlands Mayors Thursday, September 18, 2014 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. • Tahsis Mayor • Colwood Mayor

Transit: Limited transit service in region has a negative impact to residents.

3.

WE WAI KAI FIRST NATION (CAPE MUDGE FIRST NATION) Highways: Concerns about geotechnical slope stability of Green Road on Quadra Island.

4.

Highways: Winter road maintenance concerns.

1.

ISLANDS TRUST Rail: Supportive of passenger rail service.

2.

Planning: Supportive of Nanaimo transportation Hub downtown.

3.

Transit: Salt Spring Island Transit Ridership has continually improved.

4.

Transit: Need to coordinate transit schedules to remote areas.

5.

Bridge: Opposed to a fixed link to Gabriola from Vancouver Island.

1.

TAHSIS Highway: Would like to see increased maintenance on Head Bay Rd, the main access between Gold River and Tahsis.

• We Wai Kai First Nation

16. NANAIMO

HOMALCO FIRST NATION Highways: May look for access to Highway 19 near Duncan Bay Main as economic development occurs. Currently only one access into the community via Jubilee Parkway.

2.

1.

Highway : Like the idea of an overland connection to Zeballos from a circle route, but recognize there is no Forest Service Road connection now and any connection would require the purchase of private land. COLWOOD Highway : A new interchange at Admirals/McKenzie is a high priority.

2.

Transit: Would like to see higher frequency transit and increased use of small “micro” park and rides (e.g., 10–20 spaces).

3.

Cycling: Cycling is important—concerned with capacity on the Galloping Goose (growing congestion).

4.

Cycling: Would like to see a pedestrian/cycling trail/path across Old Sooke Rd at Wale Rd.

5.

Cycling: Bike lanes on Old Sooke Rd near Royal Roads are a priority.