Newly formed highway improvement group SC101 is making headway with its petition urging the B.C. government to address “the many issues of Highway 101.” Since launching in July, the group has collected approximately 4,000 signatures. The group said their main objective is to petition for “updated infrastructure construction for the entire stretch” of the highway.
“The comment we always get is, ‘It’s about time,’” said Robin Merriott, one of the group’s founding members. Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons confirmed he would present the petition to the BC Legislative Assembly. Their original goal was to collect 10,000 signatures in time for when the legislature is back in session in October. “We only have another month to do this, so we’re pushing,” Merriott said.
The group has circulated the petition at the Show ‘n’ Shine, arts festivals, farmers’ markets, Sea Cavalcade and other major events up and down the Coast. Merriott told Coast Reporter the group has secured support from the Sechelt Chamber of Commerce, is reaching out to community associations and has signatures from local politicians including Sechelt Mayor Bruce Milne and Sechelt councillors Alice Lutes and Darnelda Siegers. “With the election coming up, we’re trying to get out to the people who declare and we’re going to try to get their support,” he said.
The group had hoped to be included as a delegation at council meetings in Sechelt and Gibsons the first week of September, but their request for support was included under correspondence at both meetings instead. They are also in talks with the Sunshine Coast Regional District.
“A lot of people think a bypass is a solution,” said Merriott when asked about potential changes to the highway. He said when speaking with people, the most popular option is an extension of the highway from the ferry terminal at Langdale. “There’s always talk about one coming up Field Road by Wilson Creek and the airport and around the back, just a short section there,” he said. He said the group isn’t necessarily pushing for a bypass but safety and improvements generally. “It really depends on the money they are prepared to commit,” he said.
Merriott also pointed to an increase in ridership on BC Ferries as an indication that the highway is seeing more traffic. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018, the Sunshine Coast route saw 1,192,000 vehicles, an increase of 3.87 per cent.
In addition to presenting the petition, Simons told Coast Reporter he would continue speaking with Transportation Minister Claire Trevena about the Coast’s infrastructure on a regular basis. He said he had been asking about improvements for years “with no tangible action from government,” but that this year the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure said it would conduct a Highway 101 Planning Study.
“It will pay special attention to Gibsons to Sechelt traffic volumes, congestion, and safety, and will address the issue of planning for the bypass extension. I am told that this will occur before the end of this year,” said Simons.
– With files from Sean Eckford
