FAQs

There are no plans to reconstruct the ERT at this time. 

The Draft MTP includes an item that looks to explore the feasibility of reconstructing the ERT to accommodate vehicle traffic AND a separated multi-use pathway within the lifetime of the 10-year plan. Campbell River is a growing community and 10 years from now the City may need a new north-south connector as Quinsam Heights and the surrounding area continues to grow. By including this as an action item the City can explore this concept within the next 10 years by monitoring population levels, traffic impacts, etc. If this item was pursued, it would involve extensive public engagement and outreach.

The proposed plan is to put Dogwood on a “road diet,” which involves changing the lane configuration on Dogwood from four travel lanes to two travel lanes, with a centre two-way-left-turn-lane (TWLTL) and two bike lanes. The proposed layout is similar to the newer sections of Highway 19A. The TWLTL would transition to a left turn lane at the signalized intersections, allowing the City to remove the current split phasing (where northbound traffic gets a green light separate from southbound traffic) and instead install conventional 2-phase signal timing with advance green arrows.

Road diets provide many efficiency and safety benefits. Left turns, bus stops and turns into and out of driveways all impede one of the travel lanes in the existing 4-lane cross-section, which reduces road efficiency. Adding a TWLTL, dedicated turn lanes and bus bay pull-outs, can increase capacity by removing impeding vehicles out of the way of the traffic behind them.  With the change to 2-phase signal timing, vehicles on Dogwood would get longer green lights, which also improves efficiency.

In terms of safety, left turn related collisions are addressed through a road diet by: 

• Removing the left turning vehicle from a through lane so they are less likely to be rear-ended; 
• Allowing the left turning vehicle to cross a single lane of opposing traffic, instead of two lanes; 
• Simplifying the left turn onto Dogwood from a driveway by allowing it to proceed first to the TWLTL, then a merge into through traffic; and,
• Reducing lane changes to get around left turning vehicles and stopped buses. 

With the addition of the TWLTL, there isn’t room for four travel lanes.  The two travel lanes and centre TWLTL occupy most of the roadway space. The leftover space must be addressed.  If it were not allocated, this would result in a wide travel lane, which would encourage higher speeds and unsafe passing. Ideas for this leftover space include landscaping, patios, rain gardens, wider sidewalks, bike lanes or blocking it off. Bike lanes were recommended option.

Some of the options include bus bay pull-outs.  This would allow buses to pull over and allow through traffic to flow past.  

For long distance bicycle travel, people cycling can use other routes such as Birch Street, McPhedran Road, or Beaver Lodge / ERT.  However, cyclists should be able to safely access businesses and schools along Dogwood. Most people cycling currently access businesses by riding in from the nearest side street, then illegally riding their bike on the sidewalk to avoid riding in Dogwood traffic.

Other routes like Birch and McPhedran will be prioritized for safer cycling infrastructure.

The City plans to upgrade Birch Street to a neighbourhood bikeway.  This will involve lowering the speed limit on Birch to 30km/hr and adding traffic calming measures such as speed humps, traffic circles and curb bulges.  

The City is has completed Phase 2 of its Master Transportation Plan review.  This Phase included a public open house on June 15, 2023, and an online survey, which was available from June 21 to July 21, 2023.  Concerns were raised by the public regarding reducing Dogwood Street to two travel lanes, in order to accommodate a left turn lane.  The Phase 3 Draft Master Transportation Plan was included on the agenda at the November 7 Committee of the Whole meeting. The item was deferred by Council and will be brought back to a Committee of the Whole meeting in January 2024 for discussion.

There is additional information, including the Study and online survey, at getinvolved.campbellriver.ca.