Transportation in Victoria and the Capital Region
We have developed a Regional Growth Strategy that includes a new vision for transportation in the Capital Region. It will be important to Victoria to lead on realizing the objectives of shifting our transportation choices to sustainable modes like walking, cycling and transit. Giving people better choices can help us shift land use patterns to more productive and people oriented development. I support:
Integrated transportation planning that affirms our regional plans and recognizes that we are a destination for regional trips and traffic, and that the success of Victoria’s economy is built on access to businesses, services and other destinations downtown. To the extent that we build alternatives that allows our downtown workforce to come and go by quick and reliable public transit; a safe, convenient and appealing cycling network; and an enhanced and complete pedestrian experience; we can reduce car trips to allow those who must drive the benefits of less congestion and easier access to parking in the downtown.
Our schools, hospitals and other significant destinations, including the city’s own recreational facilities, need to be brought into that planning process in a more effective way to ensure that they become part of the solution – models that increase traffic are currently part of the problem.
We should consider capping the number of downtown parking spaces and develop strategies for a gradual reduction based on shifts to other modes while maintaining access and supports for our healthy economy. Conversion of waterfront parking lots to more people oriented and productive uses will not only realize more value from our most prized real estate, but will also provide a more welcoming and attractive environment for the many visitors who arrive by ferry or float plane or who are here to explore what is unique about Victoria. Prime waterfront views for empty cars does nothing for these values.
Complete Streets
The design, repair and maintenance of our road network has to embrace the principle of “complete streets”. Walking, cycling and transit are important to our transportation system and every street should be designed and maintained to ensure access and accommodation for cycling and walking, and support for our public transit systems.
The province has announced new funding for cycling transportation and the city should accelerate important projects to take advantage of potential partnerships to help fund important new facilities like bike lanes on the Bay St. bridge and cycling elements of our greenways and harbour pathways systems.
The city has identified a need for 67 km of new sidewalks and many more in need of updating and repair. We need to establish a “Sidewalks for Seniors” program that updates standards to ensure people with mobility aids and scooters can be accommodated with wider sidewalks, more crossing opportunities and longer signal times to give our seniors the freedom to move.
Safe Routes to School
Doing more in our pedestrian environment will also enhance the experience that visitors come to Victoria to enjoy and make our city safer for children and families to walk to schools or other destinations.
Rapid Transit
Victoria’s future will include Light Rapid Transit (LRT) and other rail options. We can work with neighbouring municipalities on a better E&N service that carries people from Langford or more distant communities to and from downtown, and can connect with streetcars and other LRT services that could reach from Ogden Point to Town and Country as we develop plans for more
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