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Provincial government concludes bridge to Gabriola Island not feasible

NANAIMO – Ministry of Transportation study says costs outweigh benefits of bridge to Gabriola Island.

Gabriola Islanders won't commute to Nanaimo over a bridge anytime soon.

On Monday, the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure announced the results of the Gabriola Island Fixed Link Feasibility Study, concluding a bridge would not be a cost-effective alternative to current B.C. Ferries service.

The ministry began the study last year, spurred by a Gabriola Island Bridge Society petition, which gathered close to 700 signatures in 2014.

The study looked at various road alignments and connections, travel time, reliability and flexibility for users, operation and maintenance costs and also assessed socio-economic and environmental impacts of a fixed link versus ferry service.

The business case for a bridge was based on an average cost of $359 million – various options to build a link ranged from $258 million to $520 million – which outweighs the benefits of the project, according to the ministry that also cited archaeological and environmental considerations in its decision.

"There is simply not enough compelling evidence to proceed with further work on a fixed link to Gabriola Island," said Todd Stone, transportation and infrastructure minister, in a press release. "Our goal is ensure coastal communities are connected in an affordable, efficient and sustainable manner. This study shows that continuation of a coastal ferry service for Gabriola Island residents is the best way to achieve that goal."

Michael Zane, an executive member of the Gabriola Island Bridge Society, disagrees with the ministry's decision and said Stone took "the easy way out" in deciding not to pursue bridge construction in the face of perceived opposition to a bridge by other Gabriola residents.

"We're trying to help an island that is, basically, suffering because of the economy and in this case it's illogical," Zane said. "You could spit across to Mudge Island and spit across Dodd Narrows and build two little bridges and be done with it."

Sheila Malcolmson, Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP and former Islands Trust chairwoman, said she and the Gabriola official community plan oppose a bridge.

"The culture of the Gulf Islands is, to me, very much shaped by the fact they're surrounded by water and that you have to take a boat to get there…. There's lots of places to spend government infrastructure money and I'm glad there's not going to be anything spent on a bridge to Gabriola," Malcolmson said.

The Gabriola Island Fixed Link Feasibility Study report, which was prepared by engineering firm CH2M Hill, is available on the ministry's website at http://bit.ly/1Vm7ckW.



Chris Bush

About the Author: Chris Bush

As a photographer/reporter with the Nanaimo News Bulletin since 1998.
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