Phase 2 of the Master Transportation Plan and Dogwood Corridor Study is complete.
The City of Campbell River (the City) has completed Phase 2 of its Master Transportation Plan (MTP) review. 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 and WATT Consulting Group presented a draft plan with a vision, goals and preliminary recommendations for transportation at an open house at the Campbell River Community Centre on June 15, 2023, and on the City’s website. Community members were encouraged to provide feedback at the open house and by completing an online survey that was available from June 21 to July 21, 2023. The Dogwood Corridor Study was also presented for public feedback at the open house. The City received approximately 745 survey responses, and around 150 people attended the open house.
“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,” says 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.”
A summary of the community engagement results is available on the City’s Get Involved website: getinvolved.campbellriver.ca. This summary includes feedback from the community on the pedestrian and trail network, cycling network, transit network, street and traffic conditions, parking and the Dogwood Corridor Study.
Emerging themes heard from the community 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
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.
“The community feedback we received in Phase 2 of the Master Transportation Plan review and Dogwood Corridor Study has helped to refine the draft Master Transportation Plan,” says Melissa Heidema, Transportation Specialist. “We will be seeking further input from the public as the plan progresses, so there will be more opportunities for the community to be involved.”
For more information about the project, the community engagement results, and how to participate in the future, visit getinvolved.campbellriver.ca.
###
Contact: Melissa Heidema, Transportation Specialist | 250-286-5721 | melissa.heidema@campbellriver.ca
MASTER TRANSPORTATION PLAN SECOND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SUMMARY RELEASED - NEWS RELEASE - SEPTEMBER 2023