Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - A great deal has transpired in the decade since the city of Campbell River adopted its current transportation plan. Last Februray, Transportation Specialist Melissa Heidema informed Cortes Currents that they were drawing up a new plan. Phase one is now complete.

In today’s interview, Heidema and Long Range Planning and Sustainability Manager Jason Locke give us a peek into what they accomplioshed.

“It's obviously an exciting time to be looking at transportation in Campbell River and planning ahead for the future for 25 years and of course there's so much more of an emphasis on climate change and being better for the environment,” said Heidema.

“We're putting a lot more emphasis on how do we get people more people to walk, bike and bus. How do we build that safe and comfortable infrastructure to try to encourage that. Also recognizing that in Campbell River we still have a lot of people that either want to drive or need to drive. So how do we accommodate that as well?“

Locke added, “I think the primary goal for the review and update of the master transportation plan is to review, as residents, how do we move around the city, whether by walking, cycling, transit, or by vehicle? Making it safe and comfortable for people to move around the city. Continuing to address traffic flow, so we have efficient traffic flow and efficient movement of goods and services, but continuing to prioritize pedestrian movement and the safety of pedestrians.”

The city hired the WATT Consulting Group out of Victoria to do a study. Phase one consisted of reviewing existing conditions, and collecting data from the public. 404 people filled out a survey, which both online and at a booth in Campbell River’s Farmers Market. Another 45 came through the Ideas Fair at Campbell River Commuity Centre (July 6 - Aug 6).