Transportation and Infrastructure
Planning work is about to start for a potential new passing lane on Highway 19 between Campbell River and Sayward, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone announced today.
Highway 19 is a key corridor for goods movement and tourism on the North Island with many commercial and recreational vehicles travelling this route. This planning project will look at where a passing lane would provide the most benefit so that passing can be done safely on this important North Island corridor.
“Improving highway safety, capacity and mobility is a major component of our 10-year transportation plan, B.C. on the Move,” said Stone. “We want to keep people and goods moving on Highway 19. That’s why we are starting the planning now for more passing opportunities between Campbell River and Sayward.”
(flickr.com) Approximately 2,000 vehicles travel this route each day, of which 15% are slow moving vehicles such as commercial and recreational traffic. Planning work will include identification of possible sites for future passing areas, considering passing needs in both directions. The planning is estimated to cost $100,000.
“A new passing lane will be a great addition to Highway 19 to help local residents, truck drivers, and tourists travel more efficiently, and arrive safely to their destinations,” said Comox Valley MLA Don McRae. “Many commercial trucks and recreational vehicles are travelling this route, and drivers get frustrated when they are stuck behind a slower moving vehicle. A new passing lane will enable drivers to safely pass the slower moving vehicles, boosting safety and mobility on this stretch of highway.”
Through B.C. on the Move, the B.C. government will invest approximately $1 billion over the next three years to expand the capacity of B.C.’s transportation networks. Expanding the capacity of our transportation network is critical to improving safety, attracting new investment and supporting economic growth.
“The City of Campbell River is pleased to learn of the planning work that is about to start for a potential new passing lane between Campbell River and Sayward,” said Campbell River mayor Andy Adams. “This work is aligned with the ‘grow the economy, improve safety, maintain and replace aging infrastructure and support trade’ priorities listed in the BC on the Move plan. This will allow drivers to pass safely, further enabling a significantly more relaxing and enjoyable drive, especially for the many tourists who may be travelling this road for the first time.”
In addition, work is now complete on a $1.8 million cycling safety improvement project in the community of Sayward. Crews have added 1.2 metre wide shoulders to 11 km of Sayward Road to improve cycling safety along this stretch of two-lane roadway. The work started in July and was completed in October.
“The Sayward Rd. paved shoulder widening project completed this summer means both cyclists and pedestrians can now safely share this important transportation link with automobiles,” said John MacDonald, mayor of the Village of Sayward. “The shoulder widening project promotes alternative transportation uses, healthy lifestyles and public safety which are values important to both the Village of Sayward and the Province of British Columbia. Mayor and council appreciate the strong commitment the Province has made to the residents of the Village of Sayward and Sayward Valley in funding this important initiative.”
As well, three kilometres of highway shoulders were widened and paved with rumble strips along Highway 19 in the Roberts Lake area to better accommodate cyclists, tying in to the existing paved shoulders approximately 30 kilometres north of Campbell River.
Through B.C. on the Move, the B.C. government will invest $18 million over the next three years to partner with communities to build new bike lanes and trails throughout B.C. The program will also widen shoulders, double the frequency of sweeping and implement safety improvements on provincial highways in areas with a high volume of cyclists. When combined with investments from partners, this investment increases to $36 million over three years.
Learn More:
B.C. on the Move is available online at: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/transportationplan/
