B.C. looks at highway or bridge to replace ferries on Sunshine Coast

WEST VANCOUVER, B.C. – The B.C. government says it will study the costs and benefits of a highway or bridge link to the provinces Sunshine Coast.

Transportation Minister Todd Stone announced Friday that they’ve heard from the public from Powell River and along the Sunshine Coast that highway access is important for attracting tourism and investment.

Stone says in a news release that over the coming months the government will weigh the current 45 kilometre ferry trip against a highway or a bridge connection along the coast.

West Vancouver member of the legislature Jordan Sturdy will be gauging community interested with local leaders and the public.

Sturdy says while there are many who would embrace a more non-stop connection to Metro Vancouver, there are others who wouldn’t want to see such a change.

The government says a request for proposals will go out looking for a firm that has expertise to study the issue with the survey expected to get underway later this year.

Note to readers: This is a corrected version. An earlier version misspelled Sturdy.