By GAYLE BAKER
Pathways: Merchant Mews and Rainbow/Jackson/McPhillips: Funded through a B.C. government grant and spearheaded by Partners Creating Pathways (an Island Pathways committee), the Merchant Mews pathway is ready to go, with expected completion this winter.
We are making slow but sure progress implementing the Ganges Active Transportation Network Plan, always trying to minimize any impacts on Ganges parking spaces. While we were not successful in getting funding for the south side of Rainbow Road last fall, designs are being prepared for a 2025 grant application for pedestrian and cycling infrastructure on south Rainbow near Lower Ganges and portions of Jackson and McPhillips.
Salish Sea Trail: In collaboration with Island Pathways and local leaders, CRD Regional Parks staff are completing a feasibility plan for the Salish Sea Trail, a cycling/pedestrian trail from Vesuvius to Fulford. This plan will be presented to the CRD Board this fall, an essential step towards securing further CRD Regional Parks funding.
Crosswalk Analysis: Funded by ICBC at no cost to CRD, the eight Ganges crosswalks on Fulford-Ganges and Lower Ganges roads from Seaview Avenue to Atkins Road, plus the crossings at Upper Ganges/Churchill and Lower Ganges/Wildwood are being analyzed. This analysis is expected to result in recommended improvements to our current crosswalks as well as designs for additional ones. ICBC construction funding is also available to implement recommendations that are approved by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MoTT).
Interested in giving your suggestions? There will be an opportunity for your input into the Crosswalk Analysis through a link on CRD’s website, and an in-person workshop set for Sept. 17, 3 to 6 p.m. at SIMS.
Speed Reader Boards: Adding to three permanent speed reader boards at Lower Ganges, Cusheon Lake and near St. Mary Lake beach, one will also be located on Ganges Hill. As well, a temporary mobile speed board has been requested for multiple locations, including Vesuvius Bay Road near the ferry terminal, Lower Ganges near Baker Road and Sunset Drive near Duck Creek.
Bus Shelters: Look for more bus shelters soon! Funding has been secured for new shelters at Mobrae on Vesuvius Bay Road and Fulford-Ganges at Cusheon Lake, with an upgrade planned for the shelter at the Ganges Visitors’ Centre.
Flexible Reflectors: As MoTT staff agree that roadside flexible reflectors are helpful delineating the edges of our curvy roads, we expect quite a few more to be added this year. They are willing to consider our suggestions for the locations of these reflectors. If you know of a curvy road needing a road-side reflector, you can offer your suggestions to ask@asksaltspring.com by Friday, Aug. 8, or bring your suggestions to ASK Salt Spring that day when guests are Emcon’s Andrew Gaetz, and MoTT area manager Owen Page, joining us from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at SIMS.
Despite these serious concerns, it seems smart to celebrate good things whenever possible, and this progress, largely due to the former Salt Spring Island Transportation Commission, our Local Community Commission and our capable staff, seems like a reason to celebrate.
The writer is an LCC member and past transportation commission chair.