New Johnson Street Bridge design (click to enlarge)
Last Saturday’s referendum on the Johnson Street Bridge was good news for Victoria cyclists, pedestrians and road-users in general.
More than sixty per cent of voters approved the City’s request to borrow the $49.2 million needed to replace the tottering 86-year-old “Blue Bridge.” The total cost of replacement is tagged at $77 million, with $21 million in federal funding already secured.
The proposed three-lane bridge will incorporate bike lanes, a sidewalk and a mixed-use path linking the regional Galloping Goose Trail.
The concurrent by-election result also looks like a win for cyclists. Community advocate Marianne Alto edged out business-backed candidate Barry Hobbis by 1300 votes, to take the vacant council seat. Alto was the only candidate out of the eleven running to back the new bridge proposal. She appears to have a progressive view of transportation needs in the Capital.
“Continued car-oriented sprawl development is not the right solution for our collective future. We need an integrated and regional transportation plan to provide practical alternatives to single-occupant vehicles, such as public transit, commuter rail, cycling and pedestrian amenities.” ~Marianne Alto
Back in July, VeloWebLog produced a video in association with the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition. The idea was to illustrate the perils faced by cyclists and pedestrians on the existing structure. Going on readers’ responses, we were successful.
Behind the scenes, cycling advocates like GVCC campaigners Susanna Grimes and Felicity Perryman have logged countless hours on the bridge issue.
With the aid of her “math-y brain and biological research background,” Grimes has focussed on the bridge for several years, studying long-term traffic patterns. Such statistical analysis “has been a valuable source of information for the GVCC, the City and others,” Grimes says. “It has also boosted our credibility.”
In the run-up to the referendum, her work on behalf of cyclists has been a second job.
“I’ve been going flat out for the last few weeks,” she told me by phone on Sunday.
Much of that work has been to counter misleading claims—such as the assertion that the existing structure could be refurbished for $8.6 million—and ideas that ventured into the territory of conspiracy theory.
“In the end, the vote shows the people didn’t buy all the irrational stuff,” Grimes says, “but it soaked up so much resources, answering all the accusations.”
“We—the GVCC—have tried hard to be factual, professional and ethical. We knew that we had to appeal to the average person, who may not even ride a bike, but who would be able to understand the perception—and reality—of the lack of safety on the bridge for vulnerable users: cyclists and pedestrians.”
An “army” of GVCC volunteers took part in leaflet campaigns and information sessions. Those initiatives were just as educational for the membership, “[who] will become our new-bridge ambassadors,” Grimes says.
On Saturday, Grimes joined Mayor Dean Fortin in Cook Street Village. It was there, talking to people on the street, that she had a sense that the “yes” vote might prevail.
“For a change, we were in partnership with the City, both wanting the same thing. We supported their integrity, which is something we have never questioned, even when ‘arguing’ with them over an advocacy issue.”
Grimes stresses that a new bridge is an investment for future generations and changing transportation demands. Increasingly, those demands will be in the form of safe cycling infrastructure.
Update February 24, 2011: It is still unclear if the bridge will include the existing rail link, dependant on financial support from the Capital Regional District, Island Corridor Foundation and the Province. The cut-off date is March 24.
Update Feb 2013: There is no plan to include a rail link. Missed opportunity.
Vote Results (pdf) | Marianne Alto | Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition
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Over the years I have seen necessary projects held up by protesters.
When finally erected they have proved to be an asset.
Thank goodness Victoria got it right this time.
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