Courtenay Transportation Survey

The City of Courtenay is wrapping up their transportation planning process, and is asking the public to provide feedback through an online survey available on their website at www.courtenay.ca . Complete the survey by Friday, June 7. Share your thoughts on the future of transportation in the City before the plan is considered by Council and finalized.

The plan, a “25 Year Vision for Multi-Modal Transportation”, covers all modes of transportation, including walking, cycling, and vehicle traffic. The plan examines opportunities, develops recommendations, identifies priorities, and provides cost estimates for the transportation network.

Derek Richmond, the City’s manager of engineering, said the survey is an important part of the plan. “We are asking people how they use our transportation network, and what barriers are preventing people from using alternate modes of transportation,” advised Richmond. “This will help confirm the results from the first open house and survey we held last fall.”

The goal is to make Courtenay more accessible to those traveling on foot, by bicycle or on transit, while recognizing that driving is an essential mode of transportation for many people. The document will also influence the planning of underground services and utilities, including water and sewer lines.

Approximately 50 people attended a public open house on May 23 to review the draft plan. The event included a presentation, display boards, and the opportunity to speak to consultants and staff. The transportation plan is being developed by consulting firms Morrison Hershfield and O2 Planning and Design.

Consultation on the plan has included local governments, the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association, the School District, the Ministry of Transportation, airport, emergency services, transit, and other key stakeholders.

The transportation plan is guided by municipal and regional planning documents, including the City’s Official Community Plan (OCP) and the Comox Valley Regional Growth Strategy. In the OCP, Courtenay has committed to reducing community-wide greenhouse gas emission levels 20% by 2020, in part by improved access to alternate travel modes such as walking, cycling and transit.

The final report is scheduled to be completed in June.

For more information, go to www.courtenay.ca or call 250-334-4441.