70 replies to this topic

[Ismo07]

Transit better be able to have the buses available...  4-5 buses have to pass cars in gridlock each block to make it potentially what staff and students will take.

 

How is Shelbourne doing?  Open all the way yet?

Edited by Ismo07, 23 October 2024 - 10:58 AM.

[North Shore]

McKenzie as it is right now is a parking lot for 3 hours each morning rush, and then again (even worse) for about 4 hours in the evening rush. 
Going down to one lane each way at any point will essentially make it completely undriveable during daylight hours each weekday.

It actually boggles the rational mind as to the who/why/how thinking of politicians, traffic engineers, and bureaucrats that, out of the blue anticipate turning a (the?) major Saanich thoroughfare, one already suffering from complete traffic overload, into what will be at most, a two lane side street. 
And if there are two lanes down into one lane (as the plan suggests) at any point, then that’s going to guarantee complete gridlock at the merge point. 

Not only that, but how many more bedrooms are they building at Mackenzie and Shelbourne?  Are all of those people going to take the bus or ride?  Doubt it. 

Mackenzie is going to be an effing mess from UVic all the way to the highway in a couple of years, if this goes through..

[Barrister]

You get what you vote for. 

[On the Level]

Saanich council is navel gazing.  They assume there is only local traffic that could easily bike or take the bus.  Tell that to the family in Duncan that needs to get to the airport or ferries.  Even if they manage to push this through, I don't see it lasting.  It will be ripped up within a year.

[Victoria Watcher]

 

[Victoria Watcher]

 

 

       

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 24 October 2024 - 11:42 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

 

 

       

 

Even in the wildest drams of Oak Bay or James Bay that is wildly disproportionate to the reality.

 

For the region's largest municipality it's an absurd assumption and shows how far out of touch these planners are, but you almost can't blame them, they will not get a job if they take other views.

 

BCT literally just cut a bus route that served 10-Mile Point because there is no demand.

 

This is the Evo Car share "home zone", all trips must start and end inside it.

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 25 October 2024 - 12:01 AM.

[Ismo07]

Even in the wildest drams of Oak Bay or James Bay that is wildly disproportionate to the reality.

 

For the region's largest municipality it's an absurd assumption and shows how far out of touch these planners are, but you almost can't blame them, they will not get a job if they take other views.

 

BCT literally just cut a bus route that served 10-Mile Point because there is no demand.

 

This is the Evo Car share "home zone", all trips must start and end inside it.

 

 

We work with EVO and continually suggest extension of that border.  It is quite a service actually.

[Victoria Watcher]

'OMG what a crazy plan': Saanich's vision for McKenzie has residents fuming

Residents and road users furious about plans to reduce McKenzie Avenue to one lane each way


https://www.vicnews....-fuming-7621564

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 01 November 2024 - 08:41 AM.

[Barrister]

It is what you voted for both in the Municipal elections and again Provincially. Buy a bicycle and shut up. If you are too old to bike, then shut up and wait in the rain for a bus.

[Ismo07]

It is what you voted for both in the Municipal elections and again Provincially. Buy a bicycle and shut up. If you are too old to bike, then shut up and wait in the rain for a bus.

 

I'm not sure Saanich voters were aware of this when votes were happening.  This sort of thing might be staff suggested...

[Daveyboy]

This will create absolute chaos on McKenzie.  It is a wonderful idea for an idyllic lifestyle based on some non-existent dream but has nothing to do with reality.  

[Barrister]

That pretty well sums up the whole Unicorn council. 

[Victoria Watcher]

This will create absolute chaos on McKenzie.  

 

Plans for a large-scale transformation along Quadra Street and McKenzie Avenue – two of Saanich's busiest roads – aim to turn these main arteries into lively urban corridors. 

 

The project seeks to create "15-minute communities" by connecting designated hubs with nearby amenities and services, guiding growth and change in the area over the next 20 years.

 

 

 

 

Oh but won't all the UVic students, staff and faculty live within 15 minutes?     

[Ismo07]

 

Oh but won't all the UVic students, staff and faculty live within 15 minutes?     

 

 

Do they all move into that new development on Shelbourne/McKenzie?

 

Hoping the public consultation does mean something.

Edited by Ismo07, 01 November 2024 - 11:58 AM.

[mbjj]

We find that these days we have to visit at least three different grocery stores to find what we want. Fifteen minute city is not going to happen for us. esp. since we lost Oxford Foods, which we could at least walk to. Now we're driving all over the place looking for specific items. 

[Contractorguy]

I just heard about this, who's stupid idea is it to reduce traffic lanes?  And what's up with constantly reducing speeds on roads from 50 to 40?  I was just on Interurban this week and its now 40!  Lets get traffic moving, not slowing down

 

If you want to do that then you better have a top notch rapid transit system in place.  I'm no expert at the bus system in town, but my employees tell me its very bad so I will take their word for it

[Victoria Watcher]

McKenzie, Quadra cannot lose lanes

 

 

Saanich proposes to reduce Quadra and McKenzie streets to single-lane vehicle traffic each way, with rapid bus lanes.

 

I am gobsmacked by this. I live four blocks from the intersection of Quadra/McKenzie and have a pretty good feel for the traffic flow.

 

McKenzie is a main traffic artery that connects not only the geographically dispersed areas of Saanich, but also many communities to both Highway 17 and Highway 1.

 

It is a designated truck route and a main emergency vehicle corridor. It’s easy to assume that the traffic is mostly work/school/university bound that could be serviced by a bus, but that is inaccurate.

 

Look up McKenzie from Quadra on any given Saturday and you’ll see traffic backed up in both directions. Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., close to the same.

 

It’s people driving their kids to sports practices, grocery shopping, heading up island, dropping off yard waste, visiting friends, first-responders and transport trucks, etc.

 

Activities that are not particularly bus friendly. It’s also seniors, a demographic that by Saanich’s own admissions makes up 31% of the population and has special mobility considerations.

 

This short-sighted plan would cause major traffic congestion and push traffic down busy back streets, many of which don’t have sidewalks.

 

Some streets are meant to stay two lanes each way, and McKenzie/Quadra are two of those. Saanich has missed the mark on this one.

 

Voters, speak now or forever hold your peace.

 

 

Paula Manning

Saanich

 

 

https://www.timescol...-danger-9759099

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 05 November 2024 - 05:22 AM.

[Mike K.]

I was on McKenzie yesterday, early afternoon (2PM ish). Westbound traffic was backed up to Blenkinsop, bumper to bumper.

I’ve also said it before, but added that curb-plunked bike lane on each side has made the travel lanes so narrow that McKenzie is too narrow to pass a transit bus now, in traffic if you have a larger vehicle. At least it feels that way where the road bends.

[lanforod]

I was on McKenzie yesterday, early afternoon (2PM ish). Westbound traffic was backed up to Blenkinsop, bumper to bumper.

I’ve also said it before, but added that curb-plunked bike lane on each side has made the travel lanes so narrow that McKenzie is too narrow to pass a transit bus now, in traffic if you have a larger vehicle. At least it feels that way where the road bends.

 

I do it daily with my pickup. It can get harrowing, especially when a dump truck is coming at you the other way, which seems like all the time!

If anything, McKenzie needs to be widened, and the bike lane needs to be seperated completely, create a proper Lochside trail style connection to UVic.
It'd require land expropriation I guess though.