A local cyclist is calling the pathway under Highway 99 at Mamquam Blind Channel "ridiculous" after learning cyclists entering the long passage way will be instructed to dismount before going under it.The new underpass currently leaves about six-and-a-half feet of room for cyclists and pedestrians to pass underneath. Ministry of Transportation spokesperson Jeff Knight said the completed underpass would leave seven feet and three inches of clearance."It is large enough to facilitate cyclists," said Knight. However, he said signs would instruct cyclists to get off their bike before entering the underpass because of a down ramp on either side that would result in a sharp turn.Cyclist Jim Harvey said if the pass were built properly, a small fence would be all that is needed to prevent riders from running into one another at the entrance."There shouldn't be sharp turns in and out, there should be a bike-able cloverleaf," he said.Harvey's main concern with the underpass centers on lighting since the pathway will be twice as long."[The new underpass] is going to be a much darker, dank thing," he said. "This was going to be a chance to improve one of the major pedestrian passes, now they're making it much worse."Harvey said a sexual assault occurred under the former pass a few years ago, noting that with the lower height and longer length of the new pass, steps should be taken to make sure it is well lit. Lighting will be installed in the pass to ensure it is well lit, said Knight.The district is also objecting to the low height of the underpass.On Tuesday (Feb. 19), council members unanimously approved a letter signed by Mayor Ian Sutherland to be sent to the Minister of Transportation Kevin Falcon and Sea-to-Sky Highway Improvement Project executive director Peter Milburn. The letter describes "grave concerns" for the pathway and its lowered clearance."The apparent lack of attention given to this issue raises serious doubts about the Ministry's understanding of the importance council places on community connectivity," it states.It goes on to say the pathway is not designed to withstand some levels of high tide, a claim Knight denied."It appears we will have a pathway that may be inundated by the high tide from time to time and where cyclists may have to dismount to cross. This would not be acceptable."
