Campbell River Master Transportation Plan

Phase 3 Update - May 2025

The City of Campbell River is in the final stage of updating its Master Transportation Plan (MTP) and has a final draft - available under Document Library as "Phase 3 Master Transportation Plan Final Draft." See also the companion short summary, "Phase 3 Master Transportation Plan Summary Primer." The Draft MTP includes priority infrastructure projects and policies, in six categories: pedestrians (walking and rolling); cycling; transit; automobiles (streets and connections); parking and transportation demand management; and emerging mobility.

Thank you to residents who attended the open house, on April 30, 2024 and filled out the survey which was available in April and May, 2024. The City has reviewed feedback and has finalized the draft MTP. Shortly, Council will receive the draft MTP for consideration.

The City and BC Transit are also working on the Transit Future Action Plan on future transit needs and priorities. This will identify service gaps and help with planning improvements to the transit system.

Quinsam Heights Transportation and Growth Infrastructure Study

Campbell River is a growing community, and the Quinsam Heights neighbourhood has been identified as a growth area to accommodate the community’s housing needs. In the future, the city may need a new north-south connector road as Quinsam Heights and the surrounding area continue to grow.

Staff have proposed a Quinsam Heights Transportation and Growth Infrastructure Study, which stems from the work that’s being done to update the Master Transportation Plan. The proposal will be considered at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. If approved by Council, the study would allow the City to explore options for responding to current and future transportation needs in the area.

The study would include two phases:
•  The first phase would be a technical review to assess if Petersen Road could accommodate the continued growth that’s projected for Quinsam Heights. Petersen Road, a rural road, is currently the primary access road into Quinsam Heights for vehicles. The City anticipates that this phase of the study would be complete by the end of 2025. The findings of the review would be presented to Council for consideration.
•  If approved by Council, the second phase of the study would look at options to increase the capacity of the road network to address transportation needs. One option that may be considered is reconstructing the ERT corridor as a multimodal road that would accommodate vehicle traffic and a separate multi-use pathway. This would include reviewing topographical and environmental constraints and obtaining high-level cost estimates.

Council is committed to improving transportation for all road users, including those who regularly walk, roll, bike, take transit or drive in Campbell River. If this study moves forward, it will involve extensive public engagement and outreach. Feedback about the ERT that was gathered from the community as part of the engagement for the Master Transportation Plan update will also be considered. For more information about the study's scope and timing, contact Andy Gaylor, Director of Community Planning and Liveability, at andy.gaylor@campbellriver.ca.

The City is also embarking on an update of its Official Community Plan, which lays out a strategic vision for future growth.

Project Background

The Master Transportation Plan was last updated in 2012 and the City is currently updating it. This document reviews the future transportation needs of the community, alternate transportation choices, and the provision of multi modal transportation opportunities. The Plan will explore walking, cycling, transit and car use in Campbell River, with potential projects over the next 20 years.

In addition to the MTP, a Dogwood Corridor Study looked at Dogwood Street, from the south end (Jubilee Parkway) to the north end (Highway 19A). The Study reviewed all major intersections and recommend short, medium and long term improvements for both operations and safety. No changes are planned for Dogwood Street and the recommendations are no longer being pursued.

Planning Process

The updated Master Transportation Plan will encourage walking, cycling and transit use in order to build a community with less pollution, less congestion, healthier individuals, healthier communities, less reliance on fossil fuels and fewer collisions.

The planning process will consist of three phases:

Phase 1 - Collecting background research, including existing conditions, data collection and the first round of public consultation.

Phase 2 – Refining vision, principles and goals including a prioritization of projects and costing.

Phase 3 - Developing policy directions and drafting a plan.

Plan Adoption - Presenting final plan to Council for adoption.

The planning process involves ongoing engagement with the public, First Nations, community partners, a Project Advisory Team, City staff and Council at key stages of plan development.

To learn more about transportation at the City of Campbell River, visit www.campbellriver.ca/transportation.