Letter regarding Traffic Flow around Greater Victoria - Causeway Proposal

Patricia MacLeod 81 Wolf Lane Victoria, B.C. V9A 7M2

December 4, 2015

Dear Mayor + Council of View Royal,

I would like to propose a sober second thought regarding the challenge of traffic flow around Greater Victoria, specifically to and from the Westshore.

After all the attempts at improvement over the last few years; the Old Island Highway through View Royal, the Craigflower bridge, Admirals Road, Tillicum Road, they all turned out to be road improvements but not necessarily traffic improvements. The greatest benefits for ease of traffic flow have come when altogether new roadways have been put in, like the McKenzie connection years ago.

Movement around Greater Victoria bumps up against the challenge of water. Specifically, the only two roads in and out of Greater Victoria are "pinched" between the north end of Esquimalt Harbour and the southern boarder of Thetis Lake Park. I think we need to expand our view of the solution to include the whole geography of the area and consider increasing our community connections through and over water.

I believe a causeway across Esquimalt Harbour connecting the View Royal/Vic West/Esquimalt side of the harbor with the Colwood/Langford side is a viable option to consider for the following reasons:

1. Currently there are two lanes on the main Highway 1, one lane on the Old Island Highway 1A. Therefore, adding one more lane on the causeway connecting the west shore increases traffic flow capacity by one third.

2. Not to minimize the major inconvenience for a few people in local traffic at either end, for the most part there will be no major traffic disruption during the construction of the causeway.

3. Access points on either side of the causeway are already well established with substantial infrastructure in place. Hallowell Road connects Admirals Road from a lighted intersection directly to the harbor shore, which is currently industrial space as well as zoned for development. (Directly across from this point is Smart Island;) Wilfert Road is easily accessed from the west shore and allows traffic to spread in either direction and come out at lighted intersections at either Wilfert or Ocean Blvd and Wale road.

4. Increased ease of accessibility to both areas on either side of the causeway will help support further future residential development. Perhaps potential for mixed use business and residential including low-income housing.

5. The location of the causeway is toward the north end of the harbor and will not interfere with the current industrial activity of CFB Esquimalt and Naden.

6. The finished length of the causeway and resulting "bay" would be comparable and familiar in size and location to the current Esquimalt Lagoon and boulevard. Although, the causeway would still allow water flow and small boats to pass under. Picture an elongated version of the new Craigflower bridge with wide bike/pedestrian areas on both sides separated by barriers from automobile traffic.

7. The landing at the end of Hallowell Road borders First Nations land. The possibility for development partnership might be of interest to the Songhees.

8. The biggest environmental benefit of the causeway will come in reduced traffic flow in time and distance. The reduced emissions from unclogged traffic congestion will quite probably be measurable. The causeway will also encourage increased bike and pedestrian traffic along a safe, scenic route. The E&N rail trail connects through the end of Hallowell.

On the downside, the causeway project is not part of TransCanada Highway 1 and therefore may not be as appealing for federal funding. I believe, however, the long term financial and social benefits of the causeway far outweigh any short term gains that might come from a one-time infusion of federal cash. I understand money has already been invested in preliminary reports on the McKenzie site, but sometimes it is better to cut our losses in order to do the right thing.

As you can see, I am passionate about this idea and could list many more possible benefits. I fear that focusing on the current debate on how to re-configure the McKenzie intersection is limiting the possibility of finding a real solution to the larger traffic and social challenge of moving smoothly between our communities.

I truly believe a causeway connecting our eastern and western communities is the vital missing link in the future development of Greater Victoria. I would love to hear your thoughts on this idea. I am enclosing aerial views of Esquimalt Harbour and the west shore area connecting to Highway 1A.

Sincerely,

Pat MacLeod

Copies to: Randall Garrison, M.P. John Horgan, M.L.A. View Royal mayor and council Colwood mayor and council Esquimalt mayor and council Langford mayor and council