DocumentsStaff ReportSep 17, 2018Pages 64–65
Staff Report: Malahat Safety Improvements (Fire Department)
Fire Department staff report outlining proposed safety improvements on the Malahat corridor; submitted for Council consideration and potential direction to pursue related works or partnerships.
Key facts
- Report source: Fire Department
- Agenda page reference: p.64
- Purpose: Malahat safety improvements (specific measures and requests summarized in staff report)
- Action: presented as a staff report for Council direction (details in report)
Staff Report: Malahat Safety Improvements (Fire Department)
2nd Floor · 877 Goldstream Avenue · Langford, BC Canada · V9B 2X8
T · 250-478-7882 F · 250-478-7864
Staff Report
to
Council
Date:
September 17, 2018
Department:
Fire Rescue
Subject:
Malahat Safety Improvements
Background
There have been several serious car accidents on the section of the Trans-Canada Highway known as the Malahat Drive in 2018 even with significant improvements to the roadway. Specifically, the section between Goldstream Park and the top of Tunnel Hill has produced some crashes that have resulted in serious injuries and at least one death this year as well as lengthy road closures that impact thousands of drivers who use the highway daily. The amount of traffic using the roadway is steadily increasing and therefore the likelihood of additional road closures increases along with it.
Commentary
These incidents take a toll on first responders, many of whom are volunteer, as well as tie up our resources for a considerable amounts of time. Langford’s infrastructure also bears a significant impact whenever the highway is shut down as commuters flood local streets to find ways around the accident. This also affects businesses, as Langford and the Greater Victoria area are effectively cut off from the rest of the island.
With Council’s approval, a working group of first responders and city departments such as Fire, Engineering and Bylaw along with the RCMP could be formed to discuss how best to respond to incidents on the highway and strategies to keep traffic moving where possible.
Ideas developed by the working group would be taken to Council who could make recommendations to the various forms of government to advocate for changes to the highway. The goal would be to reduce the amount and length of road closures and thus the lower the negative impact on Langford as well as making it safer for all.
Options
- That Council direct city staff to form a working group to research options on how to reduce and minimize road closures on the Malahat Drive section of the Trans-Canada Highway.
OR
- Take no action at this time.
Respectfully submitted,
Submitted by:
Chris Aubrey, Fire Chief
Concurrence:
Braden Hutchins, Director of Corporate Services
Concurrence:
Darren Kiedyk, Chief Administrative Officer
Concurrence:
Michelle Mahovlich, P.Eng, P.Geo, Director of Engineering