By Bill Cleverley, Victoria Times Colonist, 1 March 2007
Ben helped organize a rally opposing the Bear Mountain Interchange in Langford, arguing the project would "put more cars on the road," causing "damage to the Goldstream watershed" and contributing to habitat loss and increased traffic congestion
A rally to protest against construction of the proposed Bear Mountain interchange is planned for tomorrow afternoon.
“We don’t think the province should fund it,” said Coalition to Protect Goldstream spokesman Larry Wartels.
“We believe what’s being called the Bear Mountain interchange will damage the Goldstream watershed and lead to increased traffic and congestion.
“The alternative is to support commuter rail and substantially increase bus service because that’s the only thing to get people out of their cars — make it easy for people to get out of their cars.”
The newly formed group, which Wartels said is comprised mainly of concerned Langford, Colwood and Highlands residents, sees the interchange as the “linchpin” for more development in the Bear Mountain subdivision. That continued development threatens rare Garry oak habitat, arbutus and Douglas fir habitat, he said.
While Langford has budgeted borrowing for the interchange, the province is yet to formally commit to funding. Langford has been lobbying for provincial and federal contributions, arguing that the interchange near Spencer Road would benefit the entire region.
Langford Mayor Stew Young said recently the province is close to committing $5 million toward the project. The province has said it is still evaluating it.
The interchange is seen as vital to easing congestion along the Trans-Canada Highway, especially in the Millstream Road area. Congestion caused by traffic to and from big-box stores and the Bear Mountain subdivision and golf course was getting so bad last year it prompted Langford to put a freeze on new development until work on the interchange begins.
The city has been pressuring senior governments to share in the interchange costs, but has met with reluctance. The province has maintained that the intersection would primarily serve private developers.
Young yesterday agreed that there is a need for LRT but he said the interchange is also needed.
“I agree … we should be focusing on LRT,” Young said. “That means you have to go to everybody on southern Vancouver Island and raise their taxes to do it. And, you know what, you’re not getting people out of cars right now,” Young said. “People going to the protest will be driving out there in their cars.”
Young said some forget that 15 year ago people were demanding jobs and protesting for that. Developments such as Bear Mountain have provided those jobs, he said, and the interchange is needed.
“They’re not protesting with the majority of Langford supporting them. Langford’s turn to make money and to make sure our residents have jobs and to make sure we have an economy is there. What we’re building are great facilities,” he said.
Former Victoria mayoral candidate Ben Isitt, who plans to be at the 4 p.m. protest, said the interchange will put more cars on the road, not fewer.
“And there will be damage to the Goldstream watershed and that includes the salmon-bearing river. It includes the various fir forest and habitat around that and it includes the Langford Lake cave, which is quite large,” Isitt said.
“There are all those environmental concerns, but beyond that, if the issue is really congestion and transportation problems, then this is going to make those problems worse by allowing for more development in that outlying area,” he said.
