transportation advisory committee monday, march 2, 2015 ... · monday, march 2, 2015 scrd...

N:\Administration\0540 Board & Committees\Agendas\ISC - TAC\2015 March 2 TAC Agenda.docx

TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Monday, March 2, 2015

SCRD “Cedar” Room, 1975 Field Road, Sechelt, BC

AGENDA

CALL TO ORDER 10:15 A.M. AGENDA

1. Adoption of Agenda MINUTES

2. Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November 03, 2014 – For information

REPORTS

3. Sunshine Coast Speed Watch Reports, October 2014, November 2014, December 2014, January 2015.

4. Barry Cavens, Southern Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory Committee,

provide updates on BC Ferry decisions and BC on the Move – 10 Year Plan submission.

COMMUNICATIONS

5. Rob Williams, Manager Transit and Fleet, update on ferry traffic congestion at Earls Cove Ferry Terminal.

6. Alun Woolliams, Transportation Choices (TraC) Sunshine Coast,

regarding Selma Park bike lanes, west from Hwy 101 & Selma Park Road.

ROUND TABLE NEXT MEETING May 4, 2015 ADJOURNMENT

Annex App. 1 – 6

Annex Bpp. 7-10

Verbal report

Annex Cpp. 11-12

Annex Dpp.13-19

SUNSHINE COAST REGIONAL DISTRICT

TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

November 3, 2014

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD IN THE CEDAR ROOM OF THE SUNSHINE COAST

REGIONAL DISTRICT OFFICES, 1975 FIELD ROAD, SECHELT, BC.

PRESENT: Director, Electoral Area E, Chair Lorne Lewis

(Voting Members) Director, Electoral Area A Frank Mauro

Director, Electoral Area B Garry Nohr

Director, Electoral Area F Lee Turnbull (part)

Director, Town of Gibsons Gerry Tretick

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Don Legault

BC Ferries Maureen Donnagh

South Sunshine Coast Ferry Barry Cavens

Advisory Committee

Progress Plan Marj McDougall

Transportation Choices (TraC) Martin Prestage

REGRETS: Insurance Corporation of BC Harvey Kooner

Director, Electoral Area D Donna Shugar

ALSO PRESENT: Manager, Transportation and Facilities Rob Williams

(Non-Voting) Manager, Parks Services Carolyn Mortensen

Alt. Director, Area F Joyce Clegg

Alt. Director, Area D Dave Ryan

RCMP Todd Bozak

Sunshine Coast Speed Watch Jon Hird

Coastal Bike Initiative Tim Howard

Constituency Assistant, MLA’s office Kim Tournat

TraC Jody Schick

Parks Planning Coordinator Sam Adams (part)

Recording Secretary Diane Corbett

Secretary, Transportation Services Susan Fernandez

CALL TO ORDER 10:15 a.m.

Chair Lewis extended thanks to Councilor Doug Hockley for getting a clock in the Cedar Room

that can be viewed by the Chair.

AGENDA The Agenda was adopted as amended:

1

Annex A

Minutes of Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting November 3, 2014 Page 2 of 6

Add: Item 10. Earl’s Cove Ferry Line-ups

ROUNDTABLE INTRODUCTIONS

MINUTES

The Transportation Advisory Committee meeting minutes of September 8, 2014 were received for

information.

COMMUNICATIONS and REPORTS

Recommendation No. 1 Communications and Reports

The Transportation Advisory Committee recommended that the communications and reports be

received, as follows:

Sheila Malcolmson, Islands Trust Council, regarding Priorities for Budgeting 2015 - BC

Ferries;

Constable Todd Bozak, Sunshine Coast Traffic Service, regarding BC Ferries / Bypass

approach to terminal;

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, media release regarding B.C. on the Move:

A 10-Year Transportation Plan;

Kirsten Pedersen, B.C. on the Move, regarding B.C. on the Move: A 10-Year

Transportation Plan;

Martin Prestage, Transportation Choices (TraC), regarding bike lanes and routes, road

detailing and re-grading;

Sunshine Coast Speed Watch Reports, August 2014 and September 2014;

Parks Planning Coordinator, regarding Barriers in the 1300 Block of Highway 101;

Area A Director, regarding Earl’s Cove Ferry Line-ups

Priorities for Budgeting 2015 – BC Ferries

Director Nohr noted there will be a meeting of the chairs of ferry dependent communities with the

Deputy Premier and Minister Stone regarding BC Ferries that will include discussion on

financing. Director Nohr indicated he would be writing a position paper on that.

The recent move of BC Ferries to allow sports teams free trips was noted.

BC Ferries / Bypass approach to terminal

Constable Bozak announced that the RCMP will be meeting with BC Ferries and the Ministry of

Transportation and Infrastructure on November 19. He requested that discussion on the BC

Ferries / Bypass approach to terminal be deferred to the next meeting.

Constable Bozak indicated that about fifty cars had been towed that were parked on Marine Drive

near the terminal.

2

Annex A


B.C. on the Move: A 10-Year Transportation Plan

Director Nohr reported on the recent Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI)

meeting with elected officials from Powell River Regional District, Sunshine Coast Regional

District and District of Sechelt. Items discussed by elected officials included: SCRD

Transportation Plan; District of Sechelt airport; idea of golf carts in Sechelt town; repairs and

bike lanes on north end of highway to Earl’s Cove; upgrading of roads and ensuring of proper

bike lanes in rural areas; ferry traffic impacts in Gibsons area; bypass route.

Director Turnbull suggested to Mr. Legault, in light of the amount of ferry traffic travelling up the

hill through Granthams Landing, that a longer southbound right hand turn lane at the Reed Road

and North Road intersection traffic light would release pressure and assist people in a more

smooth exit to Sechelt and Pender.

Committee members were urged to fill out a survey on the 10-Year Transportation Plan by

December 12, available at http://engage.gov.bc.ca/transportationplan.

Mr. Cavens noted that previous consultation results regarding BC Ferries would be included as

part of the Transportation Plan, and that there had been issues regarding the effectiveness of the

consultation. He urged to members to comment that ferries is an important part of the

Transportation Plan. We need a proper long term plan for BC Ferries.

Recommendation No. 2 10-Year Transportation Plan

The Transportation Advisory Committee recommended that a statement be included in the SCRD

Board letter regarding the Transportation Plan that a long-term plan for BC Ferries be included as

part of the Province’s Transportation Plan.

[Bike lanes and routes, road detailing and re-grading

Mr. Prestage described conditions of the Selma Park bike lane and the critical need for adequate

signage in that area that indicates the cyclist will be on the road at that corner.

Recommendation No. 3 Selma Park Bike Lane

The Transportation Advisory Committee recommended that the Infrastructure Services Committee

writes a letter to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure asking the Ministry to provide

a definitive plan regarding when the Selma Park bike lane will be connected to the nearby shopping

centre, and noting that this is a high priority road improvement project, and inquiring as to what

interim measures will be taken until the plan can be executed.

Mr. Prestage reported that a lot of improvements have been made on side roads above the

highway, and extended thanks to Capilano Highways for the a big improvement on the reduced

amount of wash-off going down to the highway.

3

Annex A

http://engage.gov.bc.ca/transportationplan


Mr. Legault will follow up with Capilano Highways regarding clarification of the completion date

for re-grading 30 kilometres of shoulder between Gibsons and Sechelt this fall.

Director Turnbull left the meeting at 10:50 am.

Tim Howard on Coastal Bike Initiative

Mr. Howard circulated a handout and gave an overview of the proposed Coastal Bike Initiative.

TraC is working on this project in collaboration with Gibsons and District Chamber of Commerce,

BC Cycling Coalition, Powell River Cycling Association, and other groups.

The purpose of the project is to increase cycling based tourism, with a vision to integrate with a

circle route on Vancouver Island. The economic potentials of bike-based tourism were mentioned.

The Sunshine Coast is uniquely positioned in light of proximity to the Lower Mainland, attracting

day-trippers, overnighters, and multi-day visitors. Improved bike infrastructure benefits the local

community as well as visitors. Mr. Howard indicated he would return to try to deepen the dialogue

once more input on the project has been obtained.

Points from ensuing discussion included:

Look for support for this project as a regional economic development initiative

Marine Drive Trail and Suncoaster Trail

Camping locations and possibility of having a bike only camping area

Marketing cycling tourism

Increased cycling traffic on the coast this year

Request to present to Nicholas Simons

Lots of cyclists using SCRD Transit system

Encourage communications on northern end of route

Impacts of Japanese knotweed on cycling.

Recommendation No. 3 Coastal Bike Initiative

The Transportation Advisory Committee recommended that the handout from Tim Howard on the

Coastal Bike Initiative be received for information.

REPORTS

Speed Watch

Jon Hird discussed the Speed Watch reports. The stand out location for low compliance is in

front of Roberts Creek Elementary School. The Speed Watch Report also goes to ICBC and

RCMP Traffic Services.

Chair Lewis thanked Mr. Hird for keeping the committee up to date.

4

Annex A


NEW BUSINESS

Barriers in the 1300 Block of Highway 101

The Parks Planning Coordinator presented visual descriptions of three locations on Highway 101

where the road crosses ravines, characterized by degradation of posts at the edge of the shoulder.

The SCRD has a permit with MoTI to maintain a bike lane in the area. Proposed repairs and costs

for each location were outlined. Staff noted this is a regional issue, and that there was a

recommendation at the Infrastructure Services Advisory Committee meeting of October 2 that a

letter be sent to MoTI with a request to cost share on this.

Mr. Legault discussed geotechnical baskets as a less expensive, easier to use option than what was

proposed for one of the sites.

Discussion ensued on addressing the situation. Lowering the 80 km speed limit was suggested –

however this could only be done during construction. It appeared that a window to work on this

might be during late summer 2015.

Earls Cove ferry line up to Powell River

Director Mauro described ferry line-ups that extend past Egmont Road and that result in access

challenges to or from intersecting roads. Sometimes drivers have to use the “wrong” side of the

road to access these roads. This has become a safety issue.

Mr. Cavens remarked that he would take comments from this committee to the North Sunshine

Coast Ferry Advisory Committee later in the week.

Recommendation No. 4 Traffic Congestion at Earl’s Cove

The Transportation Advisory Committee recommended that a letter be written to BC Ferries in

regards to the traffic line-ups at Earl’s Cove Ferry Terminal going to Powell River, requesting that

this be dealt with for the next busy ferry season to ensure that people can safely access Timberline,

Jervis and Egmont Roads;

AND THAT the correspondence is copied to the North Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory Committee

and MLA Nicholas Simons.

ROUNDTABLE

This summer the SCRD extended part of the driveway at Cliff Gilker Park; gravel was swept, which

alleviated a concern of cyclists. A section of Ruffum Road is being worked on this week, in

partnership with MoTI. Marine Drive from Trent to the ferry will be starting in November.

On Gambier Island, there are a lot of potholes on most of the roads, making it very difficult to get

a vehicle around or drive over top of them. Mr. Legault said he would bring this up with Capilano

Highways.

5

Annex A


Constable Bozak remarked on the numerous cyclists who do not wear helmets, and that he had

started to ticket those people. He thought this should be dealt with through some kind of campaign

or educating. He also noted that bikes often do not stop at stop signs.

Mr. Legault described recent projects: at Hotel Lake; paving on Keith Road towards the trailer

park; washout on Port Mellon Highway.

Ms. McDougall thanked the SCRD for participating in the Transportation Initiators Group of the

Progress Plan. There was public outreach educating people about the HandyDART on October 1

at Trail Bay Mall and October 2 at Sunnycrest Mall. The Progress Plan has completed the final

survey with women and is now analyzing data. If members are interested in contributing to the

community plan of the Progress Plan, an event will be held on November 26 in the morning at the

golf course in Roberts Creek.

Recommendation No. 5 Invitation to Progress Plan Event

The Transportation Advisory Committee recommended that SCRD staff send out an invitation to

all members of this committee to attend the next Progress Plan event.

It was noted that there are a lot of drivers using phones while driving. It was also mentioned that

some car manufacturers are putting out enhancements that are also distractions.

Director Nohr commented that he received a request at a seniors meeting this week that the route

of the Halfmoon Bay bus be reversed so that seniors do not have to stand in ditches to catch the

bus.

Director Lewis noted he received comments on Gower Point Road 1200-1300 block. He noted

painted lines are faded around the S bend.

Regarding the drop off at a culvert on the south side of Reed Road near Henry Road, mentioned

at a previous meeting, Mr. Legault indicated he would be getting a delineator at that spot

identifying the edge of the road.

BC Ferries is on a new schedule until the Christmas season.

NEXT MEETING 2015 meeting dates to be announced

ADJOURNMENT 11:59 a.m.

6

Annex A

7

Annex B

8

Annex B

9

Annex B

10

Annex B

January 9, 2015

Jeff West Superintendent Terminal Operations North Region British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. 1300 Ellenor Rd Comox, BC V9M 4D3

Dear Jeff West,

Re: Earls Cove Ferry Terminal

This letter is regarding ferry vehicle traffic congestion at Earls Cove Ferry Terminal.

It was noted at the November 3rd 2014 Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) Transportation Advisory Committee that traffic congestion at the Earls Cove BC Ferries Terminal has been an issue for area residents during peak summer months. More specifically, due to heavy vehicle volumes waiting to depart to Powell River, traffic line ups have stretched from the Earls Cove Terminal several km’s up the Sunshine Coast Highway often restricting safe access to and from Green Tree/Timberline, Jervis Inlet, and Egmont Roads.

11

Annex C

As such, the SCRD Board passed the following resolution requesting that BC Ferries take necessary action to prevent similar traffic congestion issues during the upcoming 2015 summer season.

583/14 13 11/12/2014 Recommendation No. 5 Traffic Congestion at Earl’s Cove

THAT a letter be sent to BC Ferries in regards to the traffic line-ups at Earl’s Cove Ferry Terminal going to Powell River, requesting that this be dealt with for the next busy ferry season to ensure that people can safely access Timberline, Jervis and Egmont Roads;

AND THAT the correspondence is copied to the North Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory Committee and MLA Nicholas Simons.

Yours truly,

SUNSHINE COAST REGIONAL DISTRICT

Rob Williams Manager of Transit and Fleet /sf

12

Annex C

TAC Agenda Item for Monday Mar 2nd 2015 Selma Park bike lane

We would like to seek clarification from MOTI on the scope/distance of shoulder improvements between conveyor belt and Selma Park. (Included below)

We would also like follow up on the Infrastructure Services Committee letter to

MOTI requesting a plan for the completion of this project. (Included below) Long term planning of cycling and pedestrian lanes

We would like to request that TraC is involved in the SCRD’s long term planning of cycling and pedestrian lanes.

13

Annex D

14

Annex D

15

Annex D

16

Annex D

17

Annex D

Highway 101 bike lanes in progress

Transportation

JOHN GLEESON / STAFF WRITER

FEBRUARY 5, 2015 08:52 AM

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) has started construction on two sections of bike

lane on the north side of Highway 101.

Paving was expected to begin shortly on a 400-metre bike lane that will extend south from Curran Road to

the north end of Redrooffs Road in Halfmoon Bay.

The second project, scheduled to start Feb. 2, will see another 400 metres of bike lane constructed from the

Lehigh Materials conveyer belt east of Tsain-Ko Village Shopping Centre, past Monkey Tree Lane toward

Selma Park Road.

“We won’t make it all the way to Selma Park Road, but we’re hoping to finish it next year,” MOTI area

manager Don Legault said last Friday.

Each project is budgeted at $25,000 and will be completed by the end of March, he said.

Meanwhile, Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) staff is proposing bike lane construction projects this

year for Marine Drive in West Howe Sound, Gower Point Road in Elphinstone and Redrooffs Road in

Halfmoon Bay.

Bike lanes proposed for Egmont Road and Garden Bay Road in Area A are both in the planning phase, “so

we’re not sure we’ll get to construction this year,” parks planning coordinator Sam Adams said.

All of the SCRD bike lane projects are funded from the federal gas tax program.

Legault said MOTI confines its bike lane projects on the Sunshine Coast to Highway 101, while SCRD

directors concentrate on priority roads for people in their areas.

18

Annex D

http://www.coastreporter.net/authors?author=John%20Gleeson

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