A two-phase study over two years is coming on the future of roads serving Quinsam Heights in Campbell River.
City council gave the go-ahead Tuesday (May 20) for staff to find a consultant – estimated at up to $185,000.
Community Planning Director Andy Gaylor says the first phase will focus on Petersen Road – the only north-south route west of Dogwood Street.
“One of the things we’ve heard regularly…is that Petersen Road, the primary arterial road access into the neighbourhood is not safe for all users and is considered at capacity. What we want to do is start to gather the necessary data to better understand what these gaps are and what improvements are needed so that Petersen can continue to accommodate existing and projected growth in the neighbourhood,” Gaylor said.
A second phase of the study next year would look at opening up the Elk River Timber corridor to vehicles.
But Gaylor said an decision is a long way off.
“There’s a lot of work to do and time before any decision is made to reopen the ERT (Elk River Timber) to vehicles. The Petersen Road corridor analysis wouldn’t be completed until the end of year and if council at that time wishes to proceed with the review of the feasibility of ERT that would again take roughly a year to complete and a future phase,” he explained.
A city report says an engineering study 24 years ago estimated bringing the gravel road up to “urban road standards” between 14th Avenue and Evergreen Road would have cost $5.7 million at that time.
The possibility of vehicles on the ERT has already received pushback from environmental and cycling groups, who staged a demonstration at the trail last weekend.
Gaylor says the study is needed for a neighbourhood that is growing quickly with an average of 50 housing units per year.
Councillor Ron Kerr, a resident of Quinsam Heights, praised the study proceeding saying it’s “30 years overdue.”
Mayor Kermit Dahl noted the expansion of the ERT could be difficult since land on either side of the trail is owned by private landowners or developers.
Gaylor said the city still owns the 20 meter (66 feet) right-of-way on the ERT from 14th Avenue to Evergreen Road.
