The Dogwood Street road diet, cycling paths and improved transit are all on the minds of Campbell Riverites, according to a report on the city’s Master Transportation Plan (MTP) public engagement process.
The city recently completed the second phase of the engagement process. The plan, which will act as a framework for transportation planning in Campbell River, includes priority infrastructure projects and policies in five categories: walking, cycling, taking transit, driving, and parking/transportation demand management. The City received approximately 745 survey responses, and around 150 people attended the open house. According to a report on the June 15 meeting, as well as a survey that was open until late July, the city heard a few recurring themes.
These include:
- Concern about reducing Dogwood Street to two lanes (also referred to as a “road diet”) to accommodate a turn lane in the centre of the roadway; the City is currently looking at alternative locations and options to improve the community’s cycling network
- A preference to use other corridors (such as Birch Street, Alder Street, McPhedran Road or Elk River Timber (ERT) Road) for cycling, instead of Dogwood Street
- A preference for separated, protected cycling facilities such as multi-use pathways
- A desire for improved transit service with increased value for money, and a preference to focus on these priorities over pedestrian or cycling improvements
“Thank you to everyone who completed the Master Transportation Plan survey or attended the open house. It was great to see such an excellent turnout and to hear everyone’s ideas for transportation in Campbell River,” said Mayor Kermit Dahl. “Residents rely on our community’s transportation networks to connect with businesses, services, amenities — and each other. The community input that we’re receiving throughout the MTP review process will inform our decisions about transportation priorities moving forward.”
The next steps will include presenting the draft MTP to the Project Advisory Team and Council, followed by further public consultation before the end of the year. The final MTP will be presented to Council in early 2024.
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