Response Letter Minister Claire Trevena - Gabriola

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BRITISH
COLUMBIA
OCT 10 2019
Peter Luckham, Chair Reference: 288260
Islands Trust Council Your File: 11-5595-30

1627 Fort Street, Suite 200
Victoria BC V8R 1H8

Dear Chais Lotékham, =

Re: Active Transportation

Thank you for your letter requesting the inclusion of active transportation infrastructure as part
of planned upcoming road work on Gabriola Island.

The ministry is committed to investing in infrastructure that promotes safe transportation
alternatives and reduces traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions while supporting
healthier living.

The resurfacing work you mention that was recently completed on Gabriola Island involved a
road preservation procedure known as sealcoating. Sealcoating is the application of a protective
coating to an existing asphalt base to protect against oils and the weather. I recognize you would
have liked the ministry to incorporate active transportation infrastructure while our crews and
equipment were on the island for this project. However, the sealcoating equipment we barged
over cannot widen or pave roads, so crews were unable to construct wider shoulders or additional
lanes for cycling.

Like you, I believe Gabriola Island would benefit from expanded active transportation networks.
The Province’s well-established cycling infrastructure grant program helps local governments,
towns, cities, and First Nations create and maintain cycling networks. The grant program is a
partnered program that shares the cost of municipal cycling infrastructure projects, such as
separated bike paths and bicycle/pedestrian overpasses, with local governments. Since 2014,

the ministry has invested approx. $30 million in cycling grants and infrastructure projects across
the province.

As you know, the ministry recently launched a new provincial active transportation strategy—
Move. Commute. Connect.—which is designed to encourage active transportation use and build
on the success of the cycling grant program and work with communities to create policies and
plans that support complete active transportation networks around the province. The strategy was
developed following an extensive public consultation process and aims to double the percentage
of trips taken with active transportation by 2030.

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Ministry of Transportation Office of the Minister Mailing Address:
and Infrastructure Parliament Buildings

Victoria BC V8V 1X4

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The ministry’s Director of Strategic Initiatives, Jesse Skulmoski, would be pleased to discuss
opportunities to develop safe active transportation on Gabriola with you and can be reached
directly by telephone at 778 974-5274 or by email at Jesse. Skulmoski@gov.be.ca.

Thank you again for taking the time to write.

Yours sincerely,

NY yy
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—_—_——
Claire Trevena
Minister
Copy to: Jesse Skulmoski, Director

Strategic Initiatives

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