Let me see if I have this correct.
We are going to delete a large portion of Qualicum’s signature pedestrian beach walk so we can extend a traffic circle to the high-water mark in order to route traffic were no traffic has gone before.
Yup, that’s the jaw dropping plan, folks! On a hot day one might be tempted to stop and take a dip there just like you did before.
They are a wise bunch though and I’m sure they checked with mother nature about that twice-yearly, 40-knot Northwester that throws logs and debris 30 meters from the high-tide line.
Save the poor soul who takes a log to the face or the hundreds of vehicles that day that get drenched in saltwater.
I won’t be betting the farm that they checked the pedestrian safety data on roundabouts.
After a horrific, 25-year failed experiment, roundabouts with high pedestrian impact numbers are being removed around the province.
Fact is, when you’re driving 360 degrees your sightline is never on the crosswalk until it’s too late.
The $7-million price tag (more than the new fire hall) is only a full year’s taxes for two thousand Qualicum properties.
If this roundabout idea isn’t the definition of buffoonery and foolishness, I can’t imagine what could top it.
Brian Jenkins
Qualicum Beach