By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Communities grapple with how to fix Cathedral Grove

Nov 22, 2018 | 6:18 PM

NANAIMO — There are many opinions about how to solve the many issues surrounding Cathedral Grove and Highway 4, but it’s unlikely there’s a perfect solution waiting to be discovered.

Janelle Staite, deputy director with the ministry of transportation and infrastructure, told NanaimoNewsNOW they’ve heard various solutions at open houses on the issue, but nothing which will completely meet the needs of tourists and drivers.

“With every option there’s going to be a different level of impact,” she said. “Certainly we recognize the importance of the park and really want to limit that impact.”

The ministry held two open house sessions, in Port Alberni on Wednesday and in Parksville on Thursday, to hear from communities most familiar with the area. At each session, a map of the area was available to be marked with suggestions on Post-It notes.

Staite said everything from alternate routes to overpasses and shoulder-widening was suggested for the spot which sees 500,000 visitors from around the world every year.

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According to ministry data, an average of 530 people cross the highway at Cathedral Grove in a two-hour period in the summer. At the same time, traffic along Highway 4 is increasing and nearly 11,000 cars drive along the route every day.

Traffic is often held up as groups of people walk across the highway from the parking lot.

The open suggestion sessions are looking for ideas different from building an alternate route, Staite said. She cited a 2016 business case which showed it made the most sense to continue investing in Highway 4 instead of building a costly way-around.

“It was out of that study, and the fact we’ve committed to invest in Highway 4, that we said now’s the time to come to the public, seek some input and figure out the next steps.”

Though the province doesn’t consider an alternate route a feasible option, it was the first suggestion from many who attended in Parksville on Thursday.

Sheri Plummer, who visits the area numerous times in a week, said she believes an alternate route makes the most sense because any expansion efforts could possibly damage the old growth forest at Cathedral Grove.

“We’re out here to say we need to cherish this ancient forest. There’s so few of them left. Everything we can do to preserve Cathedral Grove is very important.”

Bill Vinton, an avid hiker enamored with the beauty of Cathedral Grove, said it seems the location is perfectly imperfect for any good solutions.

“Quite often you get there, even at a reasonable time in the morning, and there’s nowhere to park. So you end up in a situation where you’re pulled over on the side of the road and probably compromising the traffic when waiting for cars to move on.”

Input will be sought by the ministry until Jan. 4, 2019 and preliminary options will be presented in the spring.

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