One day after another serious crash that closed a portion of the Trans-Canada Highway just north of Victoria, the province of B.C. announced plans to explore an emergency detour route over the Malahat between the West Shore communities and Duncan.

A B次元官网网址渃omprehensive and co-ordinated look into improving traffic flowB次元官网网址� is expected to address congestion in one of B.C.B次元官网网址檚 fastest growing regions, and it was met with near-universal agreement from politicians in Victoria who say all options need to be looked at and considered.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

B次元官网网址淲e need to understand where the congestion is and where the needs are, where the pressure points are,B次元官网网址� said MLA Mitzi Dean (Esquimalt-Metchosin), who spoke with media assembled at the B.C. legislature Wednesday afternoon.

B次元官网网址淎nd then we need to actually have a look at what would be the best solution and then do a cost benefit analysis.B次元官网网址�

NDP MLA Mitzi Dean says speaks to the media about the potential for emergency detour routes over the Malahat as part of a new transportation strategy for improving traffic flow on Southern Vancouver Island.

B次元官网网址� Arnold Lim (@arnoldlimphoto)

The province said the area of focus will be existing and future multi-modal infrastructure projects going as far north as Duncan and as far west as Sooke. It will look at current transportation demands and develop a roadmap for future investments across all modes of travel.

B次元官网网址淭ransportation has been a consistent problem for the region and this process is urgent and long overdue,B次元官网网址� said Adam Olsen, B.C. Green Party spokesperson for transportation and infrastructure.

B次元官网网址淓ffective transportation not only reduces congestion and greenhouse gases B次元官网网址� it makes life more affordable, helps local businesses succeed, and allows British Columbians to spend more time with their families. On the southern Vancouver Island it is essential that this process is guided by clear leadership and long-term thinking to address the unique challenges our communities face.B次元官网网址�

That sentiment was echoed by Green Party MLA Sonia Furstenau, who represents the Cowichan Valley and often travels over the Malahat to her job in Victoria.

B次元官网网址淰ancouver Island is heavily dependent on the Malahat highway. On occasions when that route is closed thousands are cut off from essential services such as medical care. This major concern must be met with swift and thoughtful action.B次元官网网址�

VIDEO: says Rail a possibility to reduce congestion on the Malahat.

B次元官网网址� Goldstream B次元官网网址 Gazette (@GoldstreamB次元官网网址)

The question of rail use also came up as the E&N rail corridor remains unused, despite advocate groups and casual motorists calling for restoration as a secondary option to delays or travel.

B次元官网网址淚 know from living in the community and talking to people in the community, that people are really frustrated with seeing the corridor being left idle, while people are sitting in congestion,B次元官网网址� Dean said.

One of the things she continues to hear, is how people want to get the best use out of the E&N rail corridor.

B次元官网网址淎nd if we can use the corridor to get people moving, then letB次元官网网址檚 look at that option.B次元官网网址�

READ MORE: Alternate route for Malahat shouldnB次元官网网址檛 go through Sooke watershed

READ MORE: Greater Victoria mayors united over transportation

READ MORE: Island Corridor Foundation optimistic about restoring rail service

However, not everyone is in agreement.

B次元官网网址淭o my understanding, they are looking for a bypass route through the CRD watershed where the Sooke Reservoir is located, and thatB次元官网网址檚 a big concern to me,B次元官网网址� said Mike Hicks, Juan de Fuca Electoral Area director. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 where the drinking water for the CRD, including Sooke, is located.B次元官网网址�

Hicks said water in the reservoir is B次元官网网址渁bsolutely pristine,B次元官网网址� and to protect the area and the water supply, the area is subject to restricted access.

B次元官网网址淭hey donB次元官网网址檛 let anyone into the watershed, except maybe some First Nations people for hunting purposes, so opening it up and maybe having trucks rolling through there is a really big concern. Anything getting into that water is a big concern.B次元官网网址�

The Sooke Water Supply Area is located northwest of Victoria in the Sooke Hills and supplies water to more than 35,000 people in Greater Victoria. The area is owned by the Capital Regional District.

The area has been in active use for more than 100 years and supplies nearly all the water consumed by CRD residents.

Chris Foord, the vice chair of the CRD Traffic Safety Commission, expressed a radically different position.

B次元官网网址淕iven that we dumped 40,000 litres of diesel fuel into the river several years ago and killed a bunch of salmon I seriously doubt that we could do worse by putting an emergency bypass road farther upstream from Goldstream River,B次元官网网址� said Foord in an email to the Sooke B次元官网网址 Mirror.

B次元官网网址淢y personal view, as a transportation planner, is that we need an immediate bypass that can be opened up if the Malahat was to be closed for more than an hour.B次元官网网址�

Like us on and follow us on .