Topic: Fort St. John Transportation Master Plan
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The City of Fort St. John is developing a Transportation Master Plan to resolve a number of long-range transportation challenges in the city, and establish a plan for addressing multiple transportation priorities. The need for this plan has been identified in the City’s Official Community Plan (pdf), and supports Council’s strategic goal of ensuring that community infrastructure is well-maintained to meet the needs of both current and future generations.
Via EnergeticCity.ca
Mayor Ackerman has called this plan “a valuable guide to assist City Council” in both transportation and land use decision making. Victor Shopland, General Manager of Integrated Services, is named in a news release as the city’s main man for the initiative, and once again PlaceSpeak has been chosen as the public input vehicle.
This is the same approach the city took to address the Site C dam and Downtown Revitalization issues, and it’s hoping to develop a plan which will address long range challenges and priorities for the next two decades.
Get Involved
Interested Fort St. John residents can take part by taking a short survey, joining in a discussion topic, or by sending an email to [email protected]. Feedback will be collected until 4:00 pm on February 22, 2015.
What is a Transportation Master Plan?
A Transportation Master Plan will guide the development of all modes of transportation in a network that can effectively and efficiently serve a growing community over the next 20 years. Through this process, the City of Fort St. John’s transportation network will become a platform for building vibrant neighbourhoods, creating enjoyable streets and trails, and supporting economic development opportunities.
The Transportation Master Plan is a policy guide which will be used to inform and shape City Council decisions on transportation and land use. Ultimately, the Plan is Council’s commitment to:
- Provide the leadership needed to support a sustainable future
- Work in partnership with businesses, educational institutions, community organizations, transportation providers, and municipal and regional governments
- Invest in sustainable transportation modes that are consistent with the directions and priorities of the plan
- Integrate with other decisions as identified through other plans, policies and initiatives
- Communicate clearly to the residents of and businesses in Fort St. John the transportation priorities for the City
For the Transportation Master Plan to be successful, the City will need to work with both public and private sector partners. In the established parts of the City, the Plan will be used as a guide to work with residents, businesses and institutions on transportation improvements to enhance mobility choices and to support quality of life in Fort St. John. For new developments and growth areas, the Transportation Master Plan will be used to shape land use and transportation choices to reduce future vehicle travel demand and encourage more sustainable travel choices.
Process
Phase 1
- Council Meeting #1 (July 14, 2014)
- Project Start-up
Phase 2
- Stakeholder Committee – Workshop #1 (October 7, 2014)
- Document Existing Transportation Conditions
Phase 3
- Council Meeting #2 (November 24, 2014)
- Develop Vision, Goals and Objectives
- Forecast Future Transportation Conditions
- Stakeholder Committee – Workshop #2 (December 16, 2014)
- PlaceSpeak Consultation (ongoing through to project completion)
Phase 4
- Review Special Transportation Issues
- Undertake Parking Policy Strategy
Phase 5
- Prepare Draft Transportation Plan
- Stakeholder Committee – Workshop #3
- Public Consultation
- Council Meeting #3
Goals & Objectives
The City of Fort St. John will provide an efficient multi-modal transportation network that enhances our quality of life by supporting environmental, economic and social sustainability to make our community vibrant, safe, and accessible.
Through the implementation of the following goals, the plan will:
- Provide an effective transportation network that connects the community and surrounding areas and allows for the efficient movement of people and goods between residential, commercial, institutional and industrial neighbourhoods.
- Enhance mobility options by providing attractive, inclusive, healthy and environmentally responsible transportation choices
- Give priority to the safety and health of users when planning, designing and operating transportation systems and networks for all seasons.
- Integrate transportation and land use planning to help minimize the need for new transportation infrastructure, build walkable communities and foster a vibrant downtown.
- Inform and educate the public on transportation issues and networks.
