Change the focus - Island Highway – from Commuter to Community Village (Motion and Rationale)
Detailed motion and rationale for renaming Island Highway to Craigflower Road and implementing traffic calming and pedestrian safety measures.
Change the focus - Island Highway – from Commuter to Community Village
Whereas
- Many major regional roads have been drastically altered to achieve calmer, slower, safer routes for active transportation modes
- BEFORE the TCH, Island Highway was part of the “Victoria highway” network. From old Douglas / Hillside roundabout, the Gorge Road, “Island Highway”, Goldstream Road to the Malahat.
- Province had discontinued its need and responsibility for this “highway” by downloading the road and all costs to the town around 1997
- The TransCanada Highway has the McKenzie Interchange investment and coming dedicated rapid bus lanes. CRD also planning major upgrades to the Galloping Goose Trail
- Province’s housing bills focuses on frequent bus service and interchanges on the TCH and View Royal / Colwood / Goldstream corridor
- Provincial demands that 90% of View Royal’s single family lots become 4- and 6-unit structures (3-4x as many cars), combined with east/west commuters creates costly gridlock scenarios and serious transit delays
- Regional navigation is much easier when streets names don’t change every 3-4 km.
- Transit Local Area improvements (2021) recommends the #40 bus connecting TCH to DND / Dockyard
THEREFORE, be it resolved that:
- Change “Island Highway” to Craigflower Road (West?) from Admirals to Thetis Interchange (2.6 km)
- Reduce speed limit from 50 to 40 kph, consistent with Esquimalt’s Craigflower Road (and Vic West 30k in density commercial / residential zone)
- Convert NE corner of Island Highway / Helmcken from “soft” to “hard corner” for pedestrian safety
- Re-design the road to permit ‘street parking’ to encourage / support local businesses
- Revise intersection light timing in favour of north / south travel, since neighbourhoods will significantly densify with residential and commercial development
- Ask MOTi to change “View Royal + arrow” to “View Royal Village + arrow””
AND FURTHER THAT View Royal encourage the Province and CRD to actively negotiate with First Nations to include an electric transit mode along the E&N Transportation Corridor, as a win-win-win: Climate, Economic Prosperity, Respect.
RATIONALE
This road no longer qualifies as highway. Already rush hour commuters mock the name. We can no longer afford to maintain a commuter road that primarily benefits outside interests.
The name change idea had been debated and rejected by Council a few years ago. But this was before focus to reduce GHGs, the Active Transportation Plan, rapid transit, significant approved density and MUCH more coming in provincial decree.
Like the Vic West village, a town centre with walkable services, parks and amenities can only be achieved when the commuter traffic congestion, speeds and dangers are effectively addressed.
The regional transportation plan must recognize that our community also needs a thriving village concept like Sidney, Vic West, Oak Bay, Esquimalt Centre, Cook Street, Goldstream Village etc.
The cost of the name change can come from Gas Tax reserves and provincial funding to compensate for the regional housing densification.
Collectively the Westshore is working to keep services, amenities, recreation, arts / culture and post-secondary education so residents can work / play / recreate / learn without the travel through View Royal.
The name change happen quickly before the 400+ residents come to live along this corridor (each of these becoming a cost to name change)
The Province’s housing decree creates challenging affordability and capacity issues. As the status quo for single family lots is passe, so too is a highway through high density neighbourhoods. Further, a strong diversified commercial centre is required to keep the ratio of residential / business tax base.
The town will always welcome regional residents / visitors and tourists into our community. The road is not closed. It is open for business with the respect, ambiance, speed and safety conducive to enable thriving walkable services.
Councillor John Rogers January 3, 2024