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Sea to Sky Highway upgrade scaled down

But businesses still concerned about impacts form closures The Sea to Sky highway will not be re-built to a four-lane freeway all the way to Whistler.

But businesses still concerned about impacts form closures

The Sea to Sky highway will not be re-built to a four-lane freeway all the way to Whistler.

Rather, it is likely to be a combination of two, three, and four lane sections from Horseshoe Bay, with an estimated cost of $580 million.

But even this latest plan, which changes almost weekly, includes lengthy closures and delays which visitors, residents and businesses will have to cope with.

"If they are talking hours of delays in the middle of the day it will kills us," said Peter Lostale, one of the owners of the Pemberton Transport Company, which is the most-used refrigerated trucking service in the corridor.

Currently there are 87 closures of four hours each planned during the four years of construction. Other longer closures would occur at night and there would be scores of 20-minute delays, according to The Province newspaper.

Lostale is particularly concerned about perishable food such as ice cream, fish and produce.

"Of course we pack (ice-cream) in freezer boxes and with dry ice," he said.

"But in the heat, if the truck is stuck on the highway with the sun beating down on the truck the refrigeration system can only do so much work."

Delays for Lostale could mean trouble for his customers.

"What is going to happen is that the stores won’t have any fresh produce in the morning, they are going to get in the afternoon and the consumers are going to have to learn to buy product in the afternoon," he said.

"And most of the restaurants don’t have the facilities to keep products for days so they get it fresh everyday.

"Customers up in Whistler tend to want the best. They don’t mind spending money but they want what they paid for.

"So what happens if a restaurant opens at four o’clock and we can’t get, say, the fresh bread to them because we are delayed. That is really going to hurt their business."

But for Rolf Gunther, co-owner of the RimRock, the concern is not getting fresh supplies it is bad publicity about the highway.

"It may deter some people from coming," he said

Bruce Stewart, manager of Nesters Market and Pharmacy said the latest details bring some relief and it appears as if the closures will not be as severe as originally outlined.

Just a couple of months ago the government was proposing closing the highway for four hours each day and eight ours each night for four days a week, nine months a year for four to six years.

"The new plan sounds more acceptable," said Stewart.

His main concern is managing the deliveries. Most of the trucks deliver goods early in the morning. If that schedule shifts to the afternoon it could cause parking chaos as customers and truckers vie for space at the busiest shopping time of the day.

"If we start seeing half a dozen trucks between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. that would be a bit of an issue for sure," said Stewart. "But generally speaking it should be fine."

Whistler Mayor Hugh O’Reilly is also encouraged with the latest plan.

"It is consistent with what our community has said," said O’Reilly.

"It does show that we are concerned about safety and reliability, it allows communities to say we have a road that is getting better."

O’Reilly believes safer and better access to Whistler is a priority for the resort’s long-term vision.

If the challenge of getting to Whistler gets to be too much for the average traveller business will suffer.

"If we don’t make safety and reliability upgrades then we are going to be declining in the future," he said.

"(The government) understands the importance of keeping a flow of traffic going so that businesses add guests and residents can get up and down.

"But at the same time delays periodically and scheduled delays have to be expected. You can’t do it with zero impact."

O’Reilly said the key to mitigating the effects of the closure is keeping those affected informed. When the Lions Gate Bridge construction was going on the resort knew when the closures were and worked around them.

"It can be done," said O’Reilly.

As part of the transportation plan the government asked KPMG Consulting to study the economic impact of the upgrades.

In turn KPMG asked Tourism Whistler for some input.

"In the last 10 days Tourism Whistler has worked with KPMG to help them establish their assumptions," said Suzanne Denbak, president and CEO of Tourism Whistler.

Denbak was given three closure scenarios to work with in outlining the impact on visitation. Currently the report is in a draft stage and is not publicly available.

However The Province newspaper reported that KPMG estimated Whistler accommodation occupancy rates would drop from current average of 55 per cent to almost 47 per cent.

Whistler’s tourism income would drop from $1.03 billion to $869 million.

"I haven’t seen (KPMG’s) draft report so the figure that is referenced in the newspaper I’m not sure how that relates to what we did," said Denbak.

"I would like to see the draft report."

The best time to carry out closures on the highway, said Denbak, would be in the shoulder season when business mostly revolves around conferences.

But, she said, no matter when the work is done it would have an impact on visitation.

Denbak is cautious in her support of a $580 million Sea to Sky highway upgrade.

"While we would welcome access improvement, on the other hand, we don’t want the experience to become a freeway experience," she said.

"For a lot of people who come to Whistler a part of their experience is that they are getting away from their urban environment. They are escaping to a mountain retreat. They are looking to rejuvenate their spirit and that starts when they arrive in Vancouver and they have that beautiful drive along the Sea to Sky highway.

"So there is definitely a balance between improving access but not creating an urban experience that detracts from what they are buying when they buy Whistler."