Sunshine Coast Highway Society

2PM SUNDAY 18TH BY THE DAVIS BAY WHARF NOW IS THE TIME FOR CHANGE... Come and join the Sunshine Coast Highway Society members as we send a message to the BC electoral candidates. The existing GOAT TRAIL no longer meets the needs of our community. The Sunshine Coast has been neglected for too long, we need a candidate who will stand up for us and push for the much needed infrastructure improvements. THE SUNSHINE COAST NEEDS A HIGHWAY YOUR VOTE COUNTS [email protected]

ELECTION ISSUE: The Sunshine Coast Needs a Highway! The Sunshine Coast Highway Society (SCHS) looks to our three election candidates for their support towards the construction of a long awaited and badly needed real Highway from Langdale to Sechelt and beyond. Current Status:... A real Highway, from Langdale through to, at least, Sechelt, has been recommended in several Government funded studies. The existing road (our Goat Trail) has been neglected for years, receiving inadequate, partial upgrades. This continued band aid approach as proposed in the recent released Corridor Study is completely unacceptable! Trying to make what is a local community road function as a highway is destined to fail and is dangerous, as has been proven many times, sadly. Narrow, uneven shoulders and few bike lanes make it hazardous for cyclists and pedestrians. The road is particularly dangerous for motorcycles due to the patching methods being used. A real Highway is something the voters want! Over 6,400 signatures were collected on a petition submitted to The BC Legislature on March 27th, 2019. Local governments, businesses and associations are supportive. The long awaited Corridor Study by MoTI (Sept 2020) oddly reverses previous study recommendations for real Highway located in a new location. The Sunshine Coast, in general, and a reliable transportation corridor, in particular, continues to be neglected by the BC Government. A real Highway will: Provide a direct route for commuter, commercial and visitor traffic, and capacity for future growth Will result in a reduction in greenhouse gases. Reduce noise and unsafe conditions in residential areas. Provide a primary route for emergency vehicles Enable improvements to be made to the existing Goat Trail to create a sustainable safe parkway route for local traffic as well as cyclists, pedestrians and local transit, all of which align with local community plans and priorities. Image Credit: Coast Reporter

Two collisions reported by the Sunshine Coast RCMP for the week of Oct 6. If you are concerned about our goat trail, aka Highway 101 -- like us and join the fight for a new highway for the Southern Sunshine Coast. http://sunshinecoast.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ViewPage.action

A new highway is what's needed, not more bandaids to the goat trail - aka Highway 101. In our lobby towards a new highway, and a parkway style revitalization of the existing route would encourage safe, environmental friendly transportation choices. The road would then provide a safer transportation route on the Sunshine Coast for pedestrians and cyclists. We support TRaC's lobby effort to governments to "create a continuous coast-wide non-highway route using secondary roads". Join the fight, and make *a new highway* your election issue. https://www.thelocalweekly.ca/high-risk-locations-identifi/

CLOSE CALLS NEAR MISSES ACCIDENTS ?? We need help! Have you had a frightening experience as either a pedestrian or driver on Highway 101? In order to strengthen our message to the Minister of Transportation and other politicians, we need your accounts.... Local statistics don’t include the near misses and close calls, but only the documented official accidents and tickets issued. We think that is only part of the real picture on the lower Coast, and that our stories need to be told. Send us your story to add to our database: [email protected] (Photo Credit: Duane Burnett)

Corridor study leads to Highway 101 improvements, bypass consultation The Province is moving ahead with safety improvements to a collision-prone intersection and committing to the study of a bypass/alternative route, as a result of recent study of the Highway 101 corridor between Gibsons and Sechelt. We are committed to making safety upgrades to the busy Joe Road/Orange Road intersection on Highway 101, said Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. We... also want to study the possibility of a Gibsons bypass or alternative route, as we know this is something that is important to many who live in the area. The study of an alternative route or bypass of Gibsons and Sechelt will include public consultation beginning next year. Currently, Highway 101 passes through both Gibsons and Sechelt where it travels through 11 signalized intersections. A safe, efficient Highway 101 is essential for people who live, work and travel on the Sunshine Coast, said Nicholas Simons, MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast. There are many opinions about how a bypass or alternative route could improve highway travel, and I look forward to leading public consultation in the coming year as we explore this idea further. The Joe Road/Orange Road intersection on Highway 101 is one of the busiest unsignalized intersections between Gibsons and Sechelt, providing a connection to Lower Road and many residential properties on either side of the highway. It is also one of the most collision-prone locations in the study area. To make this intersection safer for people, the ministry is starting engineering work on a project to install protected left-turn lanes eastbound and westbound, creating an easier and safer way for drivers to turn left. Also, adjustments to the overall geometry of the intersection will be made to further enhance safety. It is expected that construction will take place in summer 2021. The Highway 101 Gibsons to Sechelt Corridor Study explored options to improve the safety and operations of the corridor and was undertaken from March 2019 to August 2020. Recommendations from the study include short-, medium- and long-term improvement options to improve safety and efficiency along the corridor. Learn More: The Highway 101 Gibsons to Sechelt Corridor Study is available online: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content

SUNSHINE COAST CORRIDOR STUDY UPDATE. Here's the Latest from Donna McMahon SCRD "There's still no sign of that "Corridor Review" of Highway 101 undertaken by MOTI (Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure) last year and originally supposed to be done before Christmas. On May 1, MOTI advised SCRD staff that they haven't received the final corridor report from the consultant due to "setbacks" (including COVID 19 of course). And there's no word yet on how they intend to roll this review out to the public."

Welcome Coast residents and visitors! We are currently updating our page, and you may see a flurry of posts, which we apologize for. The SC Highway Society is active and continuing to pursue our mission. Please share with your friends and help us grow support for a new highway on the Sunshine Coast.

It's the 1 year anniversary of our petition presentation in Victoria. Thanks to everyone who signed it and has continued to support us as we fight for our new highway. The campaign continues ! Highway Petition tabled in the BC Legislature On March 27, 2019, members of the SSC101 Committee witnessed the presentation of their petition (with over 6,400 signatures) calling on the Provincial Government to begin work on the much-needed highway from Langdale to, at least, West Seche...lt. Robin Merriott, Chair of the SSC101 Committee, said What we use now is, by any definition, not a highway. Further, as one of the fastest growing areas in the Province, it is time for the Provincial Government to build to meet the Community’s needs in the future. This is an opportunity to do something that will be spectacular, scenic and sustainable. By taking traffic away from the local neighbourhoods, all of the Coast will be more accessible. And, at only 22 km long, it offers the opportunity to build something that is truly innovative using the best of emerging designs and technologies to become an example for new roadbuilding throughout the Province, said Merriott. The current two lane road is destined to be a very attractive Parkway for the many neighbourhoods on the Coast. But this can only happen after a true highway is built. Until then, the current road is the only route for all resident, commercial and tourist users. No alternate route exists in case of emergencies. Among many challenges from this road, there are hundreds if not thousands of private driveways directly accessing the road something that is not permitted for true highways. In accordance with Legislature practice, the petition was presented by Nicholas Simons, MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast. We thank Nicholas for his assistance in highlighting this very important project, said Merriott. The number of signatures on the petition as well as the letters of support from the SCRD, District of Sechelt, Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, MP, Sechelt & District Chamber of Commerce, Sechelt Downtown Business Association, [Clint Budd’s committee?] and numerous other community groups confirms the support for this project within the Community. For further information, contact: Robin Merriott [email protected]

MORE DELAYS Fortis BC is advising drivers travelling Tuesday on Highway 101 through Selma Park that they may experience some delays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. A section in the 5100 block of the Sunshine Coast Highway will be reduced to single lane, alternating traffic as Fortis crews complete routine service on natural gas lines in the area, the company said in a notice late Monday afternoon.

HIGHWAY HORRORS Our family has lived at two different locations on Highway 101 for a period of almost thirty years. During that time we have experienced our dog being killed on the highway, a helicopter landing on our large field to pick-up a person injured in an accident, and last week a neighbours lovely black lab being killed outside our driveway. Just last night as I carefully pulled out of our drive at dusk I was almost involved in a three-car accident that was only a...verted because two cars pulled-off quickly to the side of the road. Years ago, when our son was going to purchase his first car we insisted that he get an automatic since if he had a shift car and, as a new and inexperienced driver, he stalled he could be crushed by a huge logging truck hurtling around the corner at high speed, as is common. Ours is but one family's experience on this old, out-of-date road that was designed for much slower and less frequent travel. These experiences do not include the litany of other common concerns such as missed appointments, missed ferries, missed events, lateness for school and recreation, other dangers, and frustration and anger. I would wager that the stretch of 'highway' (a misnomer if there ever was one) between Gibsons and Sechelt is unique in the number of residential entrances and exits for such a stretch of road in our province. The recent statement by Nicholas Simons, our MLA, that our roadway is not as dangerous as some would conclude is incredulous. I would challenge Mr Simons to sit in our driveway and try to get out without being concerned about his safety. What is needed is a new state of the art highway above the residential area that includes environmental advances in construction that are commonplace in Europe and conversion of the current highway to a local road for community purposes. The kind of bandaid compromises that Simons is offering are not feasible and will do little to resolve these serious issues. Please, let's have a much closer look at the real transportation needs of the Lower Sunshine Coast. Garfield Pennington, Roberts Creek

Corridor Study Editor: We read with interest the comments by MLA Nicholas Simons at the Sechelt Chamber luncheon regarding the long overdue corridor study of the state of our only road between Langdale and Egmont (it is inaccurate to call this roadway a highway) For reasons that are not at all clear, no input from our Society or any other community groups appear to have been sought on this mysterious study. Perhaps the Ministry would prefer to not be distracted by the ...real world concerns of people who actually use this roadway? Mr. Simons said that a new highway would only reduce the trip from Langdale to Sechelt by 5 minutes. This is incomprehensible. We are sure that visitors and residents who have been stuck in the long summer line ups and delays would vehemently disagree with that statement. To downplay the dangers of our existing Goat Trail does a real disservice to the many residents and businesses who have driveways onto the existing road and to all cyclists and pedestrians using the route. We do agree with Nicholas Simons’ comment this is not a conversation that’s going to end. The Sunshine Coast Needs A Highway, designed for the future, to handle growth, be designed to accommodate new modes of transportation and something that will enhance the sustainability of our environment. Efforts to repair or upgrade with what is rather optimistically referred to by some as Highway 101 is like putting a band aid on a serious wound. Robin Merriott - Sunshine Coast Highway Society See more

Results from the Highway 101 corridor review may not be what thousands of residents on the Sunshine Coast were hoping for, according to Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons. I don’t think the statistics indicate that our highway as it exists goat trail, whatever you want to call it has, necessarily, the indicators of danger that some people might conclude, said Simons on Feb. 21. His remarks came during at the Sechelt Chamber of Commerce’s annual general meet...ing, held at Blue Ocean Golf Club. During a Q&A period, a submitted question referenced a petition, signed by 6,500 people and presented at the B.C. legislature by Simons last March, demanding a bypass. What is lacking is the political drive to make this a priority. When will you be pushing your government to deliver on the plan that has been on the books for more than 30 years to commence construction? Simons said he repeatedly brings up the issue and that for the first time since he was elected, the government undertook a new study. There hasn’t been a study, really, since the original plan, the bypass, he said. He also told the audience he’d been given the opportunity to preview the corridor review. The study, which launched a year ago, examined safety, travel time, congestion, ferry traffic impacts and other performance indicators of Highway 101 between Langdale and the Redrooffs Road exit closest to Sechelt. He described it as very specific about driving times, such as where bottlenecks occur, and that it will probably conclude that a new highway will reduce your trip from Langdale to Sechelt by five minutes. This is not a conversation that’s going to end, said Simons. It’s not over, but the study is not going to be as positive as I think some people are hoping. He also mentioned that others are resistant to a new highway, and that he would also be pushing for safety improvements, regardless of what the study concludes. If the government is going to tell us there’s no fund for extending the bypass, then we’re certainly going to have to expect a lot of improvements in other ways, he said. See more

CORRIDOR STUDY DELAYED AGAIN Those eager for the results of a long-anticipated review of Highway 101 will have to be a little more patient. I gather the ministry had the intention that this was quite a quick project, but it has taken longer than they expected, said Ian Hall, general manager for planning and community development at a Jan. 16 Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) transportation advisory committee. Hall said the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure... (MOTI) has advised the SCRD that they have completed the problem definition phase of this project and are drafting options that flow from that. MOTI has been invited to present its findings in February, according to Hall, who said he was not able to provide details on what problems have been identified. Colin Midgley, who was the only MOTI representative at the meeting, did not have much more to add. We’re just identifying potential conflict locations, he said. The review was initially prompted by Sunshine Coast community groups who circulated petitions demanding safety improvements on the highway, and for the creation of a new highway between Langdale and Sechelt. See more

Road washouts and road closures. The road infrastructure has been neglected for so long on the coast. Heavy rain causes chaos. It's time MoTI started spending to improve the situation. Climate change is happening and these situations will only get worse. "We need a Highway" unaffected by conditions and enabling safe, efficient travel on the Coast at all times.

Come and support us at the Electric Vehicle Festival being held at the Sechelt Learning Centre tomorrow. The Festival runs from 10am until 4pm and we will have a highway information table there. Stop by and show your support or just say hello.

Another successful day of putting our message out to residents and visitors at the Sechelt "Show & Shine" on Saturday. The weather stayed fine and we were able to discuss our ideas for a Highway with many interested parties.

Saturday is the Sechelt "Show & Shine". We will have an information table out there so come and support us.Wear you badge or come and get one.

Canada Day was a great success. Thanks to all who marched in the parade and then manned the Highway information table in Hackett Park.

We will be marching in the Sechelt Canada Day parade with our signs. We will also have an information table in Hackett Park during the afternoon. Come out and support us.

PRESS RELEASE June 24, 2019 To better reflect our goals and mission, the SC101 advocacy group has transitioned to a new name - Sunshine Coast Highway Society. ... The Society continues the committee’s work of advocating for the much needed construction of a new, state of the art, spectacular scenic highway from Langdale to Sechelt that meets the needs of residents, visitors, businesses, transit and first responders, now and in the years to come. The growth on the Coast is going to continue and our present road is already overloaded for much of the time. We appreciate the formal support for our efforts from the District of Sechelt and the Town of Gibsons as well as Chair Lori Pratt of the Sunshine Coast Regional District. The Society will be participating in events across the Coast this summer to provide information on this very important project. Contact us at [email protected]

Editor: With ever increasing numbers of residents and visitors on the Coast we urgently need infrastructure upgrades. Undoubtedly, our water supply is of primary importance and we acknowledge that our regional district staff and directors are dealing with this. However, our inadequate road system is also of great concern. The Sunshine Coast Highway Society appreciates that the Town of Gibsons and the District of Sechelt have formally expressed their concerns to the provincial... government’s minister of transportation. We also acknowledge the support of SCRD chair Lori Pratt and look forward to attending a meeting with the directors of the SCRD in the near future, to obtain their formal support. Our communities need a proper highway designed for the future to handle growth, be designed to accommodate new modes of transportation and something that will enhance the sustainability of our environment. Efforts to repair or upgrade with what is rather optimistically referred to by some as Highway 101 is like putting a Band-Aid on a serious wound. Are we prepared to wait 10 or 20 years and then leave it to our children and grandchildren to deal with these issues? They deserve a safe, convenient, reliable future on the Coast. There is no question this issue has strong support across the Southern Sunshine Coast. For example, in the Coast Reporter’s Question of the Week, 81 per cent voted in support of the need for a highway. As well, 6,400 signatures were collected on a petition that we presented to the B.C. legislature in March. We can’t continue to bury our heads in the sand and pretend that this vital infrastructure requirement is not needed. Now is the time to get moving. The Sunshine Coast Needs A Highway. Robin Merriott, Sechelt, On behalf of The Sunshine Coast Highway Society See more

We are moving to a new page at Sunshinecoasthighway Please continue to follow us there. Thanks for all of your support.

Coast Reporter - Friday Jun 7th QUESTION OF THE WEEK POLL Does the Sunshine Coast need a new highway from Langdale to Sechelt? YES NO... Make sure you vote !

Letter to the editor: Dear Sir, I note with dismay the recent comments of Roberts Creek Area D Director Andreas Tize opposing the construction of a real highway to serve the needs of Coast residents. Being a long-time resident of Roberts Creek, I believe that Mr Tize has failed to consider the many advantages that a legitimate highway would bring to our region and specifically to our small community in the Creek.... Construction of a true highway has been studied and recommended by various authorities for over 30 years. To be built in the vicinity of the power lines, it will result in many advantages to our region, including the following: 1. The great majority of ferry traffic would be able to reach Sechelt in 15 minutes 2. the current road (aka the 'highway') would revert to being a local 'parkway' for recreational and local use 3. safety for children, youth, elders and families would be greatly enhanced 4. reliability of emergency services would be increased dramatically 5. access to nature in the local mountainous area would be much easier 6. a needed fire break would be created, something increasingly needed in Coast drought conditions I suspect that similar objections to the Upper Levels Highway on the North Shore were voiced back in the mid-sixties. However, if one now looks at how that corridor serves the community for transport, recreation services, and commuting needs, it has become a real community asset. I hope Mr Tize and other policy makers will look beyond what he has termed "a different feel in our [Roberts Creek] community" and consider the public good of our broader coastal community. I must add that I do not feel that the stance taken by Director Tize accurately represents the views and needs of most residents of Roberts Creek, including those like me, who live above the current Road 101. Dr Gary Pennington, Roberts Creek

Dear Minister Trevena We were disappointed to receive the email over your signature, dated April 4, 2019 which clearly fails to acknowledge the concerns of over 6,400 signatories of the petition presented to the Legislature on March 27, 2019. Also, it appears to mirror a letter sent by your office to Sechelt Council over six months ago. With respect, Minister, spending on maintenance and minor upgrades is not relevant to the issue at hand and does nothing to resolve the real... traffic issues impacting us. Simply put, The Southern Sunshine Coast Needs a Highway! By any definition, the existing two-lane road from Langdale to Earls Cove, with hundreds of private and public access points and virtually no options for passing or safe areas for bicycles and pedestrians over its 80 km length, is NOT a highway. Further, we are already one of the fastest growing communities in the Province and are likely to continue to grow rapidly in the coming decades. Ever increasing ferry usage and traffic volumes are already overloading our infrastructure. Progressive planning now is even more important than for slower growing areas. To that end, we challenge you to ensure any studies, including the rumoured Corridor Evaluation Study, focus on optimistic growth projections and long term solutions. (We trust early and ongoing public input will be a cornerstone?) The Southern Sunshine Coast Highway will improve the liveability, sustainability and safety for residents and visitors alike. Further, it offers tremendous opportunities to demonstrate new technologies that will be useful in future projects around the Province. And, we are confident that it will be very affordable. This project is vitally important to the Southern Sunshine Coast. We invite you to visit us this summer to see the situation for yourself.