Victoria, BC – After a consultation and review process with municipal, electoral area and agency partners, the CRD Board confirms regional transportation priorities. The Board directed staff to develop implementation strategies and report back to the Board on the findings, including a consideration of cooperation mechanisms.  

“Confirming our regional transportation priority areas is the first step to resolving a number of implementation gaps in the region,” said CRD Board Chair, Colin Plant. “Now that we are in agreement on how to proceed, we can effectively advocate for our shared priorities, and support each other in implementing our individual community's unique transportation needs.”  

Establishing priorities helps all partners address transportation problems related to congestion, mode shift and climate change. Two transportation priorities received broad levels of regional support, BC Transit’s RapidBus initiative and active transportation / regional trails.

CRD staff considered provincial policy context, regional transportation and climate action needs, and organized the priority list by the type of action required for implementation. Several priority areas require regional direction or local action to implement or advocacy to agencies responsible. Recommendations arising from the prioritization process include: 

• Active Transportation: Complete the regional trail network and seek dedicated active transportation funding. 
• Transportation Demand Management (TDM): Undertake TDM policy and programming. 
• Safety Policy: Develop and implement a “Vision Zero” policy approach that aims to keep all road users safe from the risk of being seriously injured or killed on the road network. 
• Strengthen Land Use: Continue to implement the Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) Settlement Concept by directing growth to places that encourage walking, cycling and efficient use of public transit. 
• Parking and Access Upgrades: Improve access to transit park-n-rides and parks.

Other priorities reflect that the region is made up of different communities with different transportation needs. For example, rural and remote communities require different transportation solutions than the urban core and other more densely populated centres. Some of these priorities include:  

• Prioritize highway improvements that deliver multi-modal infrastructure and safety, while advancing regional mode share and climate targets.  
• Seek multi-modal and safety improvements to enhance connectivity to Salt Spring Island and the Southern Gulf Islands. 
• Improve local transit service in rural areas. 

Additionally, the CRD Board acknowledged that two priorities require resolution over the long term – the Westshore passenger ferry and a rail link on the E&N corridor. In the interest of planning for the future and preserving these as options, the Board directed that advocacy for a Westshore passenger ferry feasibility study, and maintenance and upgrades of the E&N right of way be undertaken in the short term. 

The CRD role is to act where it has authority, coordinate where needed, and set direction on matters that are currently not the responsibility of any partner. The CRD Board’s confirmation of regional transportation priorities follows from the 2020 release of the South Island Transportation Strategy (SITS). Transportation priorities are largely based on existing plans, strategies and bylaws at local, regional and provincial levels. At the regional level, priorities align well with the Regional Growth Strategy, Regional Transportation Plan and the Regional Trails Management Plan. The priorities also align to plans and policies from other agencies and senior governments, including the BC Transit Future Plan, BC Transit’s RapidBus Strategy, SITS and CleanBC.

Prioritizing regional transportation informs ongoing infrastructure development, service delivery and resource allocation provincially and with our municipal, electoral area and agency partners. Taking action on these priorities will continue to require significant and ongoing coordination, in which the CRD plays a critical role. For more information, please visit https://www.crd.bc.ca/project/regional-transportation.

Proud to be recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and all levels of government to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.bc.ca.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Andy Orr, Senior Manager
CRD Corporate Communications
Tel: 250.360.3229
Cell: 250.216.5492