Some thoughts on a bypass
In regards to your editorial about revising the bypass issue, there are a few points I would like to put forward.
You point out that the bypass that the Trans-Canada Highway that goes through Duncan was done in 1958. Traffic has changed from those times. We used to have just a two lane highway until it was made into a four lane to deal with the increasing traffic. This will keep increasing with all the new people that will populate the South Island. I don't know if there has ever been a route chosen for a bypass but this would be helpful to know so the impacts can be studied.
As to the potential costs, this would be borne by the whole province, much like all the billions spent on the Lower Mainland for their infrastructure needs. We are paying for theirs so why would they not be paying for ours also? The way you put it makes it seem as only we would be paying for it.
Locals should know an alternate route when traffic backs up and is not moving. Everyone else doesn't. They get to endure those long wait times and probably wondering why there is no bypass. Traffic can be impeded for many reasons. The holiday travellers that just want to get to their destination beyond Duncan or to catch the ferry in Nanaimo that they have reserved. A vehicle crash that closes an intersection or a traffic light that has burned out and needs replacing. Trees being trimmed and one lane is blocked or some maintenance repair on the bridge on a Friday during the day.
For the businesses in Duncan, do they really rely on through traffic for their survival? Is the local population not enough to keep them in business? I am pretty sure all the commercial truckers just want to reach their destination to deliver their loads: groceries, logs, fuel, etc. The emergency vehicles trying to reach an accident or a fire will not be stopping to pick up a few trinkets while stuck in traffic.
As this will be the province that makes the decision, rest assured it won't happen and we will still be stuck in the '50s. They are more interested in helping the Lower Mainland. The Island is not on their radar as evidenced by their lack of support for the rail line. Have been watching a series on Knowledge about scenic railways around the world. It makes one wonder why we could not have something modern as those places. There are a myriad of benefits that could be seen if only this were done before someone comes up the idea of turning the line into a trail for bikes and whatever else they want. Oh wait! There are already calls for this. Hopefully the rail is funded before that happens. What an economic loss that would be. We deserve as much any other part of the province and our local NDP reps should be calling for this. Have they been ignoring our situation on the Island? If so, maybe another party may be more willing to listen.
Ed Aiken
Cobble Hill