Something needs to get fixed. Whether it is a road connection or the ferry service, it can not happen too soon, according to Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons.
Simons was one of several local officials to attend Powell River’s first consultation on Wednesday, June 22, for the Sunshine Coast Fixed Link Feasibility Study being carried out by West Vancouver Sea-to-Sky MLA Jordan Sturdy.
Sturdy is visiting communities throughout the region asking for input for the first round of consultations. Further sessions open to the public will be organized later in the process.
“No matter what we choose, we still need to address the current miserable state of our ferry system,” said Simons. “That can’t be ignored.”
City of Powell River councillor Maggie Hathaway said that the meeting included representatives from the city, Powell River Regional District, Powell River Chamber of Commerce and School District 47.
Hathaway said the general consensus at the meeting was to support the option that included two suspension bridges to connect Highway 99 across Howe Sound via Anvil Island and the construction of a 14-kilometre stretch of new road from McNab Creek to Port Mellon. Then up the coast, a couple more bridges, a cable bridge and a suspension bridge, to connect Earls Cove to Saltery Bay via Nelson Island.
Speaking about the consultation, regional district board chair Patrick Brabazon said that Powell River will still have to work on the scheduling issues it has with BC Ferries.
“The fixed link is coming sometime, somewhere, but meanwhile the reality is we are still dealing with the ferries,” said Brabazon.
Without having any technical or financial information for the potential links, it was unclear what new information the sessions would bring government, said Simons.
“It didn’t seem that we accomplished much more than saying which proposal seems to be appropriate,” said Simons.
The province announced last September that it would engage in community consultation to provide government with information on preferred options for connecting the Sunshine Coast to the mainland through roads or bridges.
The government hired consulting firm RF Binnie and Associates to compile the feasibility study. The study will provide a cost and benefit analysis for the government to consider what its next steps are.
The results of the study are expected in the fall.
