Plans for protected bike lanes along Highway 101 may be great for tourism, but they won’t be cheap, Powell River council heard Thursday.
Annie Wise with Sunshine Coast Tourism presented their findings from a preliminary design study, looking at connecting Saltery Bay and Lund with separated lanes along the highway for active transportation.
“It would provide benefits both to residents and visitors, including improving transportation options that are inclusive, equitable, and affordable for residents and visitors,” she said. “Not everyone wants to have a private vehicle or can have a private vehicle, and this would provide a safe alternative to move between our two communities.”
The study shows it’s going to cost around $4 million dollars per kilometre to build. Local and regional governments will be responsible for $58 to $87 million of the project’s total costs.
The study also shows existing conditions along the highway are wildly varied, and need improvement. Some sections have lanes, but some barely have a shoulder.
The study identified the route through Powell River as the highest priority. Council discussed the possibility of getting federal or provincial funding, but did not formally commit to going ahead with the project.
The preliminary design report for the Connect the Coast project can be found here.
