Campbell River Master Transportation Plan

The City of Campbell River is updating its Master Transportation Plan (MTP), a long-term strategy to improve mobility, safety and accessibility across Campbell River's transportation network over the next 10 years.

On July 22, 2025, a draft plan was presented to Council. With Council's direction, staff is incorporating those changes and will return with a revised plan in the coming months for Council's review and adoption.

The updated Master Transportation Plan promotes walking, cycling and transit to reduce congestion, improve health and lower emissions.

Planning Process

Phase 1 - Research and Consultation: Existing conditions, data collection and first round of public input (2022)

Phase 2 - Vision and Priorities: Refining goals, prioritizing projects and costing (2022-2023)

Phase 3 - Policy and Draft Plan: Developing policy directions and drafting the plan (2023-2025)

Phase 4 - Plan Refinements (Fall/Winter 2025)

Phase 5 - Finalization (Winter/Spring 2026)

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

Quinsam Heights Transportation and Growth Study (TGS)

At the Committee of the Whole meeting on May 20, 2025, Council approved the initiation of the Quinsam Heights Transportation and Growth Infrastructure Study, which stems from the work that’s being done to update the Master Transportation Plan.

Campbell River is a growing community, and the Quinsam Heights neighbourhood has been identified as a growth area to help accommodate the community's housing needs. The City is conducting the TGS to guide long-term neighbourhood planning and identify infrastructure upgrades that support growth, mobility, and public safety. This two phase study will evaluate options to address current and future transportation needs in the Quinsam Heights area.

Phase One

Phase one focuses on improvements to Petersen Road, assessing current and future traffic demands related to growth in Quinsam Heights. The study will examine operational challenges, safety concerns, and multimodal connectivity to ensure the corridor can support anticipated development.

The study aims to:

• Improve transportation safety and connectivity for all users, including residents, pedestrians, and cyclists
• Identify infrastructure upgrades needed to support future housing, services, and growth
• Develop a plan that supports long-term neighbourhood development

Data collection along Petersen Road will begin in early 2026 and will include traffic counts, as well as aerial and in person surveys. The study will document existing conditions, assess transportation constraints, and identify opportunities to enhance connectivity, safety, and capacity for growth over the next 10-20 years.

The City will keep the public informed throughout the process and work to minimize any disruptions to residents, pedestrians, and road users.

Phase Two

Following the completion of Phase one and the Petersen Road assessment, and pending approval from Council, Phase two would look at options to increase the capacity of the road network in this area to address current and future transportation needs. Several options would be considered, including exploring the feasibility of upgrading the Elk River Timber (ERT) road corridor to accommodate vehicle traffic, as it did back in 2001, with a separate multi-use pathway for pedestrians and cyclists.

This assessment would examine the pros, cons, and overall feasibility of such a route and include dedicated public engagement, providing data for informed decision-marking. Conducting this study would not mean the ERT reconstruction project will proceed but would rather serve as an evaluation to determine whether further consideration is warranted.

Phase two would involve extensive public engagement and outreach, and would incorporate feedback gathered from previous engagements, such as the Quinsam Heights Neighbourhood Plan, the Master Transportation Plan, and the Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan. It would also include reviewing topographical and environmental constraints and obtaining high-level cost estimates.

Questions? Please call 250-286-5700 or email transportation@campbellriver.ca