Round a bout Rebellion percolates in Prince Rupert

What was hailed earlier this month as another round of provincial infrastructure funding for Prince Rupert is making for some lively conversation around town. 

The discussion generating an apparent split between those who are welcoming of more provincial funding and those who believe the 18 million dollar Roundabout Project may not exactly be what is needed at this particular time in the city's infrastructure planning.

The announcement on October 11th saw MLA Jennifer Rice and Mayor Herb Pond announce that the green light from Victoria had been given, setting in motion the planning for a traffic circle at McBride and Second Avenue West and an additional review of land adjacent for suitability for affordable housing in the community.

Almost as soon as Ms. Rice and the Mayor had taken questions fro the two local reporters on hand for the announcement, the feedback started to come in.

And while no one was suggesting that the 18 million dollars wasn't welcome or wouldn't come in handy around the city, there certainly has been a growing number of those in the community who suggest that it would be better spent on other road and water infrastructure challenges that are more urgent.

The main selling point from the October 11th announcement was the safety element Ms. Rice noted the that the Roundabout would bring.

“This new roundabout will mean better access for cyclists, pedestrians, motorists and everyone who accesses the heart of downtown Prince Rupert.

Not only will this improve safety and efficiency of travel, but the potential for future affordable housing is exciting for the community. 

Updating and investing in local infrastructure like this, in turn, supports businesses and the residents of Prince Rupert who count on this area to thrive.”

However, for more than a few, the recommendation back has been that a traffic light would likely address those issues. Others suggesting that the amount of space that might be taken from the Court House would significantly change the landscape of that public space in the community.

While the official blue prints haven't been revealed just yet
it would appear from the draft drawing of the roundabout that
the large stand of trees at the foot of Second West would be removed
and some of the public space of the Court House would be
sacrificed for the project

The land for the planned review for potential affordable
housing use is located across from the BC Liquor Store
seemingly on the old Parker Ford property

As it was with the September announcement of the approval for a new Middle School, the public announcement was heavy on the funding theme, a little light in the details related to the planned project, other than it would go to tender this fall and start construction in  the spring of 2024.

From the lawn of the Court House, the discussion has moved to Social media with the topic one that has made for some extensive back and forth between proponents and opponents.

On occasion some of those conversations have surfaced on the City of Prince Rupert's own social media stream, see here and here. 

Something that has brought some push back from city staff towards the perceptions of the proposed roundabout, with the key push in favour of it,  the fact that the province would be paying for the underground infrastructure work as it is a provincial road. 

As we noted the topic has been  turbulent one on social media, one recent submission to the Prince Rupert Community Bulletin Board looks to rally those that may be opposed to the project to contact the MLA to make their voices heard.

That entry to the debate even providing for a short rebuttal from Mayor Herb Pond.

The Mayor had previously used his own Social Media stream to applaud and highlight an extensive review of the plans from City of Prince Rupert Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven.

Variations of those themes can be found on a number of other popular chat forums, all with a range of opinions and suggestions.

Briefly mentioned as part of the October 11th announcement was the city's own plans for Second Avenue remediation, with Mayor Pond observing of some of the traffic calming measures and other features that the city has in mind for the city's main east west thoroughfare.

Those concepts first came out of the days of the of former Mayor Lee Brain's State of the City presentations. 

HIs July 2022 event providing a glimpse at plans for a boulevard down the middle of Second,  regular Parking spaces, bike lanes and other elements all noted. The planning also looking to make significant changes for Third Avenue West as well.

Before they get to digging into Second West and McBride the city might want to expand on just what elements that they have in mind to be introduced further down the city's main thoroughfare.

Those plans may work counter productive to the purpose of a roundabout which is to move traffic more efficiently and reduce congestion; in this case however it would appear at the moment that it will be directing traffic to an area where the city's plans would seem to be inclined to slow the speed and add to parking which would also add to congestion.

In August City Council put much of its Transportation goals on a back burner, noting of the work on the Transpiration plan as a wish list for the most part that would not be addressed until they could secure funding for the many suggestions. 

So we can see why the city embraced the provincial government announcement earlier this month.

Providing an update on what direction the city has in mind for their Second Avenue remediation may help to make the City's enthusiasm for the roundabout that much more part of the larger infrastructure vision.

For now however it's making for an energetic debate. 

Whether the province reexamines the plan, revises it, or abandons it altogether is all for the future.

Though the final word for the community may be as simple as: if you have eighteen million dollars in hand, do you want to let it go?

Update: Late Friday Afternoon, Mayor Pond provided for a Roundabout Refresher posting a video to his social media stream.

A look at some of the City's transportation and planning themes can be reviewed here.