A new group of concerned citizens is the driving force behind an offer to work with the District of Sooke to alleviate the crush of cars that's crippling the commute for drivers on Highway 14.
"We're looking forward to hearing back from council," said Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce president Tracy Snow, who spoke on behalf of the newly formed Sooke Traffic Committee at the June 24 regular meeting of council. "A lot of what's gone on so far is finger-pointing, and we want to avoid that. We want to work with the district and stakeholders such as the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to find immediate and long-term solutions."
Snow said the initiative, which is driven by the chamber of commerce, believes one way to address the issue is by working with landowners to explore the use of roads on their lands which would provide quick connections off of Highway 14.
Sooke Coun. Megan McMath had put forward a notice of motion that council direct staff to explore options for traffic improvements in the short term that have been presented by a local committee with members of the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce and members of the business community at the next council meeting scheduled for July 8.
The Sooke Traffic Committee's board of directors includes Snow, Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce executive director Deb Schenk, former chamber executive director Britt Santowski, developer Jim Hartshorne, Herb Haldane, and Dave McClimmon. Haldane and McClimon are board members of the Sooke Builders Association and the Sooke Community Association.
Sooke Couns. Dana Lajeunesse and Kevin Pearson are also involved with the Sooke Traffic Committee.
Sooke Mayor Maja Tait said that, according to procedure, the notice of motion will be received and debated at the next meeting of council on July 8.
"We've been receiving multiple ideas and suggestions for council to consider (on the traffic issue) for some time," Tait said.
Haldane said the Sooke Traffic Committee's board members who are affiliated with the Sooke Community Association have the background and history to get the problems solved.
"We're open to collaborating with all groups and associations to find solutions that would have an immediate impact on reducing traffic," he said. "We believe this council is open to working with our group."
Haldane said the Sooke Traffic Committee also wants to work with the district on long-term solutions, such as the Throup Road Connector, Water Street, and Grant Road East.
"The reason the Sooke Community Association got involved is because we have a six-acre piece of land near SEAPARC that will be part of the Throup Road Connector," he explained. "We believe that if council is open to working with this group, we can find solutions."
Council's strategic plan for Throup Road won't be in effect until 2027, he noted.
"The way the population is growing, we need immediate solutions," Haldane stressed. "We can't afford to wait because businesses and the community are suffering big time."
Coun. Tony St. Pierre also put forward two notices of motion at the June 24 council meeting. The first would direct the district to ask the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to commission a study to estimate projected travel growth on Highway 14 up to 2050 and assess options and associated costs for accommodating projected growth in demand.
The second notice asked district staff to work with BC Transit to align with its future plan update when determining future frequent transit corridors in the New official Community Plan.
More than 2,300 people have signed a petition launched recently asking the district for solutions to the traffic problem.
