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City says Interconnector postcard campaign a success

Despite vocal disagreement on social media, City pleased with support for Interconnector
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The City of Quesnel’s postcard campaign saw almost 600 residents sign in support of the North-South Interconnector proposal. Observer file photo

Almost 600 Quesnel and area residents signed “We say yes” postcards in support of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s (MOTI’s) proposed North-South Interconnector.

A statement released today (Mar. 14) by the City of Quesnel cited the “overwhelming support” for the Interconnector.

The Ministry’s information session on Feb. 19 saw around 850 residents attend the meeting at the Quesnel Seniors’ Centre.

City staff were there handing out the “We say yes” postcards, which will be sent to Honourable Claire Trevena, the B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. Accompanying the postcards are 13 letters of support from the Quesnel business community and a letter of support from the City of Quesnel.

City staff said they did their best to ensure people signed just one card each, and residents could submit the postcards at the meeting or return them to City Hall once signed.

Residents were also invited to submit feedback to MOTI online.

The City of Quesnel has been investigating the feasibility of an Interconnector or bypass for around 50 years. The Quesnel River Bridge and Railway Bridge are currently in need of replacement, which has prompted the discussion again.

Funding for the bridge replacements will come from the province, as would money for the Interconnector if the Ministry approves it.

The purpose of the February information sessions was to outline the proposed Interconnector route, which runs through a section of North Quesnel and removes traffic from Carson Avenue and Front Street.

Many Quesnel residents have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with this route, as it affects a residential neighbourhood. MOTI did contact home owners whose land would need to be bought to facilitate the route, and MOTI project manager Shawn Clough said in an earlier interview they had “100 per cent buy in” from those residents.

The project has been endorsed by the Quesnel Downtown Association, with its president Mitch Vik stating that the association “supports the project wholeheartedly”.

“This interconnector is a great solution. It keeps the downtown core very close by and there’s excellent access from the north and south to downtown.

“We feel this was the best possible design to accommodate in the downtown core.”

MOTI will present its final report from the community consultations at a City Council meeting on Mar. 27 at 7 p.m.