Oct 21, 2021

Ladysmith Mayor to send letter to Province regarding South Davis Road intersection

Ladysmith Mayor Aaron Stone will send a letter on behalf of Council to the Province expressing the Town’s concerns with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s proposed changes to the South Davis Road intersection.

The result of the upcoming work announced on Tuesday anticipates restricting left turn movements from South Davis Road and Baker Road onto the Trans-Canada Highway.  Additional changes are anticipated at the North Davis Road intersection to facilitate the expected increase in traffic flow.

Ladysmith Council discussed the intersection changes as part Tuesday night’s Regular Council agenda and voted unanimously in favour of Mayor Stone sending a letter requesting a follow-up meeting regarding this work being completed by the Province.

“Over the decades since major changes were made to the Trans-Canada Highway through Ladysmith, development and growth has been concentrated around the South Davis Road access point with the understanding that upgrades to the intersection to support this growth would come in time,” said Mayor Stone. “While the intersection changes will increase safety within the narrow scope considered by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, the negative impacts of these changes will be felt by many Ladysmith residents for years to come.”

The letter will be delivered to Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Doug Routley, MLA, Nanaimo-North Cowichan. 

Minister David Eby (Housing), Minister George Heyman (Environment and Climate Change Strategy), and Minister Ravi Kahlon (Economic Recovery and Innovations) will all be copied on the correspondence.

In May 2021, Ladysmith Council directed that the Mayor send a letter to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure to discuss the installation of a traffic light at South Davis Road.  This meeting took place over the summer and included senior Town staff.

Ladysmith Council appreciates the feedback received from residents and will keep the community informed on developments arising from any future talks with the Province.

"We want to be a good community partner with the Ministry. We are only asking for the same consideration of the Minister and provincial leaders on this critical issue," said Mayor Stone. "I look forward to hosting Minister Fleming and MLA Routley on a tour of South Ladysmith to review the far reaching impacts of the proposed changes."

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