Robinson said the District wants unobstructed non vehicular highway crossings included in potential future interchange projects along Hwy. 19 through Lantzville, which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
The District conducted a survey during initial stages of establishing an active transportation plan, which garnered 119 respondents.
Ninety per cent of those survey respondents cited personal vehicle as their primary mode of daily travel.
Most participants felt unsafe/uncomfortable walking or cycling within Lantzville due to traffic conflicts and a lack of infrastructure.
“In order to get people out of their cars, or even to just give people additional recreational opportunities, it’s important to build a network so that they have places to travel to and that they have alternatives to using their car,” Robinson told NanaimoNewsNOW.
Local cycling infrastructure requests centred around expanded road shoulders, multi-use paths and separated bike lanes.
Desires for additional sidewalks, traffic calming, and street lighting were also cited from survey respondents.
Suggested active mobility project sites include Lantzville, Dickinson, Superior, Aulds, and Ware roads, as well as around Seaview Elementary School, Hwy. 19 intersections, the Foothills and the Northwind/Southwind Dr. areas.
Robinson said it’s hoped their active transportation plan will be approved by District of Lantzville Council this spring.
He said it’s important to have a well-researched, thoughtfully compiled plan in order to leverage provincial and federal government grants funding.
“We’ll be able to use this plan as a cornerstone as our ability to apply for grants to build out the network over time,” Robinson said, who envisioned the plan being realized within 15 years.
Robinson increasing active transportation amenities to Lantzville’s boundaries will be included in the plan,
A final online survey on the District’s draft active transportation plan can be filled out until Feb. 22 and is available here.
Last year District Council approved $50,000 in District funds to create the new plan, with the province committing matching funds.
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