Letter to CVRD re Island Corridor Shared Vision Process
The Issue
The Comox Valley Cycling Coalition (”CVCCo”) is writing to express its concern regarding current
plans to utilize significant portions of key roadways (including Highway 19A and Cliffe Ave) for
the construction of water and sewer lines southward to Royston, Union Bay and K’omoks First
Nation Lands. Both pipelines are very critical and necessary projects; however, the current
routing will cause sever traffic disruptions as they move into construction phases in 2027 and
beyond.
We note that the CVRD is also working on a shared vision process to gather input on possible
alternate uses for the Island Rail Corridor (“IRC”). We would propose that the rail corridor
provides the opportunity to move two major utility lines away from a busy traffic corridor as
well as the extension of a Multi-Use AT Pathway southward from 29th Street.
CVCCo would respectfully request that the CVRD move to immediately open a public
consultation on the Shared Vision project for the rail corridor. There is a short time window to
bring these projects together and ensure that traffic disruptions and project capital costs are
minimized. Placing these pipelines along the rail corridor would also ensure that active
transportation needs connecting Area A and the City of Courtenay are addressed.
