Campbell River Master Transportation Plan

The City of Campbell River (the City) is updating its Master Transportation Plan (MTP) and invites residents to drop by the Community Centre Lounge, 401 11 Avenue, on Thursday, June 15, 2023, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. for an Open House. Join us as the City shares the Draft Phase 2 Master Transportation Plan, which includes priority infrastructure projects and policies in five categories: walking, cycling, taking transit, driving, and parking/transportation demand management.

The Dogwood Corridor Study will also be presented to the public at the Open House. The City tasked WATT Consulting Group with reviewing the Dogwood Street corridor from the north end (Highway 19A) to the south end (Jubilee Parkway), and to make recommendations to improve operations and safety. The Study recommends changing the lane layout and traffic signal timing.

“Continued input from residents is vital to ensure we are on track and confirm which projects are important and should be prioritized,” says Mayor Kermit Dahl. “The Master Transportation Plan guides the City’s decisions related to all aspects of the transportation network within a 25-year planning horizon, and we want as many residents as possible to have their say and input on the future of transportation within the community.”

For residents unable to make the Open House, a questionnaire will also be available online at getinvolved.campbellriver.ca and in person at City Hall in the coming weeks.

“The City’s goal is to improve transportation options across Campbell River for people of all ages and abilities,” says Melissa Heidema, the City’s Transportation Specialist. “Based on current best practice and community feedback to date, we want to encourage more people to walk, bike and bus, which is better for residents, the community, and the environment. This furthers the goals in the Official Community Plan, the Master Transportation Plan, and Council's Strategic Priorities.”

For more information on the updated MTP and DCS, and to view the draft plans, visit getinvolved.campbellriver.ca/campbell-river-master-transportation-plan.

The summary and baseline conditions report reflects phase 1 of the MTP.

The City and WATT Consulting Group have completed Phase 1 of the Master Transportation Plan. Background data and existing land use conditions were collected, and visioning exercises were completed with the community. An online survey, an ‘Ideas Fair’, and a booth at the Farmers’ Market took place. The City received 404 survey responses, and 45 people attended the Ideas Fair.

A summary of the community engagement results is available on the City’s website. This report includes feedback from the community, grouped in themes, and background information related to existing travel patterns for the pedestrian and trail network, cycling network, transit network, street and traffic conditions, and parking.

Key themes heard from the community include:

• Barriers to walking:
  • Lack of sidewalks in some neighbourhoods,
  • Lack of sidewalk maintenance, and
  • Vehicles not yielding/stopping for pedestrians at designated crosswalks.
• Barriers to cycling:
  • Feeling unsafe cycling on arterial roads without a dedicated bicycle lane,
  • Lack of separation between people and cyclists using the multi-use pathways and trails,
  • Poor east-west connections to key destinations, and
  • Lack of secure bike parking at key destinations.
• Barriers to transit:
  • Too infrequent to be used reliably,
  • Unfamiliarity with the transit system, and
  • Lack of direct routes to get to usual destinations.
• Challenges residents experience driving within and through Campbell River:
  • Unsafe intersections, and
  • Too much traffic congestion when I need to travel.

The next steps include the development of a vision, goals and strategic directions for walking, cycling, transit, vehicle and goods movement based on community feedback and the work completed in Phase 1. In early 2023, the City will seek further input from the community as the planning process progresses.

“Thank you to everyone who got involved and provided valuable feedback in phase 1 of the Master Transportation Plan,” says Melissa Heidema, Transportation Specialist. “More public engagement opportunities are planned for 2023 and we hope to hear from you so that you can help shape the future of walking, cycling, transit and driving in Campbell River.”

For more information about the project, the community engagement results, and how to engage in the future, visit getinvolved.campbellriver.ca

Calling all walkers, cyclists, bus riders and drivers.

The City is updating its Master Transportation Plan (MTP) and invites residents to drop by the Community Centre Lounge on Thursday, July 14, 2022, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. for a Community Ideas Fair. Join us for transportation conversation, share your community experiences and help the City understand the barriers to using different modes of transportation in Campbell River.

“The insights of Campbell River residents are essential contributions to the updated Master Transportation Plan,” says City Manager Deborah Sargent. “In one way or another, the updated plan will affect all Campbell River residents, and we want to hear from as many of you as possible.”

The new and comprehensive MTP will have sustainability as its guiding principle and will provide a visionary framework for future transportation in Campbell River, including an implementation strategy with financial costs. It reviews current and future transportation needs and alternate transportation choices and opportunities. The plan will explore walking, cycling, transit and car use in Campbell River over the next 25 years.

In addition to the Community Ideas Fair, a survey will be available online and at City Hall from Wednesday, July 6 to Saturday, August 6, 2022. Pop-up booths will also appear around the community in the coming months, including at the Farmer’s Market on Sunday, July 17, 2022.

For more information on the updated MTP, and how to get involved, visit getinvolved.campbellriver.ca