ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: September 18, 1995
File No: 125 830
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT: South West Marine Drive Safety Issues
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT a Task Force be formed in order to undertake a
broad consultation process, which would address
transportation access to UBC and the University
Endowment Lands.
B. THAT the Task Force include representatives from
impacted neighbourhoods, UBC, BC Transit, Ministry of
Transportation and Highways, Bicycle Advisory Committee
and others, as required, to address the issues.
C. THAT, that any consideration of roadway improvements
along South West Marine Drive, including the addition
of express bus service, be deferred until the report of
the Task Force has been tabled with Council.
COUNCIL POLICY
Council has indicated the modes of transportation be placed in
the priority of pedestrians, bicycles, transit, goods movement
and auto.
PURPOSE
To establish a process to address transportation access to UBC
and the University Endowment Lands.
DISCUSSION
There is considerable controversy concerning a staff report
addressing the traffic conditions along South West Marine Drive.
This issue was deferred from the September 14th, 1995 Traffic
Commission Agenda in order to allow for a wider notification
along Marine Drive. Rather than proceeding in this manner, an
alternative strategy is suggested for addressing the traffic
flows to UBC.
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There are two controversial recommendations in the South West
Marine Drive Safety Issues report, as follows:
"A. THAT a proposal for peak hour High Occupancy Vehicle
(HOV) lanes on Southwest Marine Drive be brought
forward for consideration as part of the next capital
program to reduce single occupant vehicle use.
B. THAT, in conjunction with implementation of an HOV
lane, BC Transit be requested to provide express bus
service, between suburbs to the south and UBC along
Southwest Marine Drive."
While these two motions were intended to address the traffic
issues (e.g. HOV lanes and improved transit service), these were
proposals, which were intended to be brought forward for future
consideration. There is no funding available and, clearly, there
would need to be additional resident discussions before
proceeding.
This broader discussion about priorities for future improvements
can occur as part of the preparation for future capital programs,
and will involve all of Council. As a result, it is recommended
that a broader consultation process be initiated. The issue of
UBC growth and transportation access is one which affects several
west-side neighbourhoods. The traffic conditions and
neighbourhood impacts could be examined with a broader
representation of the various community interests.
It is recommended that a Task Force be formed and include the
following:
- resident representatives along the major arterials or
neighbourhoods impacted by UBC traffic, i.e. Marine
Drive, 41st, 16th and 10th Avenues;
- representatives from UBC and UEL to address the issues
of growth and transportation planning;
- representatives from BC Transit;
- representatives from the Ministry of Transportation and
Highways who control the access routes on the Endowment
Lands;
- representative from the Bicycle Advisory Committee; and
- City staff.
This Task Force would enable a broader consultation to occur with
the objective of comprehensively addressing the transportation
issues.
The remaining items on the South West Marine Drive Safety Issues
report are less controversial and could be considered by the
Traffic Commission.
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