We the signed, request that the District of Saanich not reduce McKenzie Ave and Quadra St. to single automobile lanes on either side of the road, as is being proposed in the draft of the Quadra McKenzie Plan.

(The plan proposes 1 dedicated bus lane on each side, in addition to 1 automobile lane on each side.)
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The following map makes apparent, the high volume of vehicular traffic along the critical transportation arterials, which are McKenzie Ave and Quadra St.

Excerpt from District of Saanich Traffic Volume Map 2023
 24 Hour Motor Vehicle Count Average Weekday Volume:

With traffic volume often exceeding 30,000 vehicles a day on McKenzie, and 20,000 for Quadra, reducing the automobile lanes from two on each side of the roads to one on each side, is a recipe for a transportation system to come to a grinding halt, with vehicles stuck in a giant traffic jam idling fumes/pollutants.

Reasoning provided for the plan to reduce the automobile lanes to one on each side of the road, include specific lanes for buses, which statistically may not be worth bringing other traffic to a halt, and proposed bike lanes. This somehow ignores that the area is already one of the best areas for bicycle transportation, being at the convergence of the Lochside Regional Trail and the Galloping Goose Regional Trail.

Even those who have pushed the plan must be aware that the result will only end in idling/polluting traffic jams, as never seen before in Saanich. This defeats the purpose of reducing vehicle emissions entirely.  It also makes the title Active Transportation Plan, in reality its opposite: the clogging transportation plan.

In case of serious emergency, clogged vehicular traffic could be the difference between life or death.  It also creates dangers on the road during everyday use.

McKenzie is a crucial transportation route toward the the Victoria General Hospital.  Quadra and Mckenzie both serve as important links to the Fire Hall in Royal Oak, which is set to be significantly expanded.  The Saanich Police Station is also nearby, as is the Saanich Public Works yard on McKenzie.

The collapse of the Malahat route, and its crucial supply-line, during the "atmospheric river" of November 2021, showed how dangerous the collapse of key arterials/transportation choke points can be for Southern Vancouver Island, especially during a state of emergency.

What would the situation on McKenzie and Quadra look like if the so called 'Big One" Earthquake were to hit?  

Photo of McKenzie Ave shut off from traffic by emergency vehicles due to structural fire. (November 5, 2024)  An ensuing traffic jam along Quadra, Saanich Rd. and others quickly took place as a result of the shutting down of that stretch of McKenzie.

For the above reasons, and numerous others, we the signed, consider that the proposed reduction of McKenzie Ave and Quadra St. to be reduced to single lane automotive traffic on either side, to be reckless, and a critical error that should not be made, as it is almost certainly to prove disastrous, if approved.

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For more information: Please contact SaanichPetition@mail.com

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Resources:

Excerpt from District of Saanich Traffic Volume Map 2023
24 Hour Motor Vehicle Count 
Average Weekday Volume:
DoS 24hr TVOL 2020 v02.pdf

Draft Quadra McKenzie Plan.pdf (Oct 2024)

Letter: Quadra and McKenzie can’t lose lanes; street parking danger - Victoria Times Colonist

'OMG what a crazy plan': Saanich's vision for McKenzie has residents fuming - Saanich News "reducing car travel to one lane in each direction."

Structure fire closes stretch of Saanich's McKenzie Avenue - Saanich News

Highway 1 - Malahat Tunnel Hill Washout Projects wins 2024 Award of Excellence

Post-it note, as viewed at Draft Quadra McKenzie Plan: Open House #2
Date & Time: November 5, 2024