Transportation Master Plan

ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN

In November 2022, the District of Squamish will begin the development of a new Transportation Master Plan.

We will be inviting community members to share their transportation experiences and ideas to inform the development of a safe, efficient, and balanced transportation system that meets the needs of everybody in the community.

 

MAKING THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM WORK FOR EVERYONE

The Transportation Master Plan will consider all modes of transportation such as:

  • Walking
  • Cycling
  • Rolling (i.e., skateboard/scooter)
  • Taking the bus
  • Driving a car 
  • Commercial transportation

The Transportation Master Plan will identify issues with the current network. It will also plan for future growth, and consider bigger picture outcomes including transportation emissions, community and individual health, neighbourhood connectivity, transportation choice, and equity.

With the Transportation Master Plan, we want to improve access to different transportation choices by providing: 

  • Safe and comfortable active transportation networks for people who walk, wheel, and cycle;
  • An accessible, affordable, and efficient transit system; and
  • Appropriate road network improvements with a focus on safety and connectivity.

When the Plan is complete the District will have an updated list of recommended transportation infrastructure improvements and a plan to complete these capital projects!

WHY DEVELOP A TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN?

Our transportation system needs to adapt to changing land use patterns, growth, community objectives, and evolving transportation choices. Our transportation system includes road, transit, and active transportation networks (i.e., networks for people walking or riding a bike). The road, transit, and active transportation networks must be safe, convenient, and comfortable enough to enable people to choose the mode of transport they want. The goal is to ensure people don’t need to rely on just one mode of transport because other modes aren’t safe or have critical missing links. When we create complete and connected transportation networks, the livability of the community improves, and the transportation system better supports larger community objectives.

With this updated Plan, we seek to promote active transportation and transit which can lower greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe) and create healthier communities. Vehicle transportation currently makes up most community GHGe (approximately 52%). The plan will provide climate-friendly transportation options in alignment with our Community Climate Action Plan.

We want to provide accessible and affordable options to support walking, riding bikes, rolling, and public transit use. These options reduce the burden that transportation costs have on a household, can increase community health and wellbeing, and provide opportunities to reduce our GHGe. 

 


YOUR EXPERIENCE AND IDEAS MATTER TO US!

The District of Squamish recognizes that everyone has different transportation needs and experiences.  Your experiences, challenges, and ideas matter to us. We invite you to share with us how to make the District of Squamish a great place to walk, ride a bike, wheel, take transit, and drive as the community grows.

To share your thoughts with us, please fill out our community survey, populate the ideas board, pinpoint location-specific issues using the mapping tool, or attend a community pop-up event.  For more information, go to our Let’s Talk Squamish page.

In 2011, the District of Squamish completed a Multi-Modal Transportation Plan (MMTP) that set a vision for transportation planning and identified priorities for the District to provide an effective transportation system that met community objectives in consideration of planned community growth to 2031. The plan was comprehensive in its scope and considered transportation from private passenger vehicles, carpooling, commercial vehicles, public transit, cyclists, and pedestrians while also considering connectivity between various neighbourhoods within Squamish and connectivity to communities beyond Squamish’s borders.

Since preparation of the original MMTP, the District has become one of the fastest growing communities in British Columbia and has seen significant growth and changes. Furthermore, transportation trends and preferences are evolving with services such as:

  • Ride hailing and shared mobility options becoming more prevalent;
  • Improved access to electric bikes and scooters;
  • Design guidance evolving to better prioritise the safety of people walking and cycling; and
  • Larger trends such as climate change, technological advancements and affordability increasingly affecting our day-to-day transportation choices.

This new Transportation Master Plan will consider the current community context and extends the planning horizon to 2040 in line with the Official Community Plan and other plans and policies. For more information, click here.

Phase 1
Understanding
Phase 2
Envisioning
Phase 3
Planning
Phase 4
Implementing
Review background documents

Carry out the first phase of  engagement to learn about community ideas, needs, challenges, and priorities

Data collection and transportation model development and analysis
Carry out the second phase of engagement on preliminary recommendations and options

Working group and stakeholder engagement on technical review

Transportation model analysis

Prepare cost estimates and funding options

Potential transportation options

Costs and priorities

Draft report with options and long-term funding strategies
Working group and stakeholder engagement on a Draft Transportation Master Plan Final Transportation Master Plan and Implementation

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS & TIMELINE

Winter 2022/2023

Beginning of our conversations with you

Community & stakeholder activities include:

  • Community Pop-Up Events
  • Online Survey, Idea Board, and Map Tool
  • Stakeholder Meetings
Spring of 2023

Share what we heard and how your input was considered

Summer/Fall 2023

Ask for your feedback on preliminary transportation options and recommendations

Community & stakeholder activities include:

  • Community Pop-Up Events
  • Online Survey
  • Stakeholder Meetings
Fall 2023

Share what we heard and how your input was considered

Fall/Winter 2023

Prepare final recommendations & create a draft master plan

  • Stakeholder Meetings
Winter 2023/2024 Final Master Plan