CRD opposes new highway through Sooke Hills Regional Park as alternate Malahat route

While the Capital Regional District (CRD) is in support of alternate highways to the Malahat route, the CRD Board has opposed two recent infrastructure projects pitched by the province.

According to an announcement made by the CRD today, the local government board has “placed itself on record” as opposing new highway projects that would would run through Sooke Hills Regional Park and the Greater Victoria Water Supply Area and Drinking Water Protection Zone.

The CRD cites environmental and community concerns as the main reason why they oppose the two projects.

“We don’t want the roads to be in the park or in the watershed,” said Andy Orr, Senior Manager of CRD Communications.

See also:

• BC transportation strategy looks to create new designs for Greater Victoria
• Over half of CRD residents’ daily trips are made by car (SURVEY)

Plans in development

Meanwhile, the CRD Board has approved of two motions that call for highway development through crown land as an alternate route for the Malahat. Plans for these alternate routes are in their preliminary stages, and have not yet been made public.

“The Board has very carefully considered the motions that were brought forward today,” said CRD Board Chair Colin Plant in a release. “We heard clearly from residents on their concerns of an alternate route through these lands, but will continue to work through this process with our partners at the Province.”

In January, the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure launched a southern Vancouver Island transportation strategy. The CRD has been working with ministry staff to evaluate current transportation demands and develop a plan for future investments by the province.

The CRD is also creating a report to assess options for an emergency bypass route for the Malahat section of Highway 1.