The Squamish Chamber of Commerce has raised concerns with a possible fixed-link between the Sunshine Coast and the Sea to Sky Corridor, even though the chamber said its members identify regional transportation and transit as a high priority.
At an open house in the fall, the public got the chance to look at a few different options that the province is studying to replace ferry service – most notably, a road link with the Powell River region, as well as Langdale road and bridge links that would connect the Squamish area with Port Mellon.
Concerns about the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s Sunshine Coast Fixed Link Feasibility Study centre on the impact such a large project would have on Squamish.
“The Squamish Chamber of Commerce expresses support for the communities of the Sunshine Coast, which have advocated for this feasibility study,” policy committee chair Eric Andersen said in a statement.
“While we are not opposed to a road link or increased traffic to and through Squamish, we feel that more information is required on potential impact scenarios. Present congestions issues, alternative transportation investments and transit improvements are of greater priority.”
Of the ministry options, the Powell River option is considered the most expensive at $2.5 to $3 billion, as it is the longest route and would require two tunnels and five bridges.
At $1.5 to $2 billion, the Langdale road link is the least expensive, while the Langdale bridge option falls in the middle. It would connect the Sea to Sky Highway with the other side of Howe Sound by bridge through Anvil Island. An additional bridge would connect the route to the Sunshine Coast. The total cost is estimated to be $2 to $2.5 billion.
The chamber of commerce feels, in addition to the need to alleviate current congestion on the highway, the province needs to present more details on the impact of the fixed-link options, adding it would be interested in participating in future regional transportation planning initiatives.
The chamber also raised its concerns in a statement brought forward to a Squamish-Lillooet Regional District meeting last month.
SLRD chair Jack Crompton said he understands the concerns raised in the chamber statement, especially those regarding the situation the Sea to Sky Highway already faces.
“There’s a lot of pressure on that road as it is,” he said, adding the region would like the province to make the highway a bigger priority.
“We’d been asking them to make further investments in the Sea to Sky Highway,” he said. “We’d want them to invest in systemic improvements.”
Key areas of concerns that have been up for discussion include the Pemberton to Lillooet portion of the highway and a bypass around Britannia Beach.
Crompton added that the SLRD is holding off on taking a particular position until the province moves in one direction or another.
“It’s too early to take a stance on it. Nothing’s been proposed,” he said, adding “We will be all over it going forward.”
A Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure spokesperson told The Squamish Chief the Sunshine Coast Fixed Link Feasibility Study should be ready sometime in early 2017. Currently, the ministry is in the process of summarizing feedback it received from the public consultation process, which could take time due to the volume received.
