Dean Murdock Saanich Councillor

Crossing the Gorge a major hurdle for Craigflower Bridge project
By Kyle Slavin - Saanich News

Moving drivers, pedestrians and cyclists across the Gorge Waterway is a cinch – as long as each part of the whole transportation network is operational.

Take one of the pieces out of the equation – say, Craigflower Bridge – and that quick 400-metre trip from Craigflower to Gorge road becomes a 4.5-kilometre detour.

"We're having a real difficult time with this," said Jim Hemstock, manager of transportation with the District of Saanich.

We asked the Saanich mayor and council candidates to provide their thoughts and strategies on light-rail transit along the Douglas Street corridor.

Dean Murdock, council candidate:

We asked the Saanich mayor and council candidates to provide their thoughts and strategies on the transportation issues in Saanich (outside of the light rail discussion).

Dean Murdock, council candidate:

Planning for the future of transportation in Saanich will involve upgrades to sidewalk and bicycle infrastructure, but how should the transit system change to be accessible to more people?

Dean Murdock, council candidate:

How do you propose to quickly alleviate some of the stresses caused by single-occupancy vehicles, which turns many of our major thoroughfares into parking lots at rush hour?

Dean Murdock, council candidate:

MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
November 1, 2011

Saanich residents deserve neighbourhood sidewalks: Murdock

Victoria – Saanich Councillor Dean Murdock thinks your neighbourhood needs a sidewalk.

Announcing his mobility plan today, Murdock said quality sidewalks and bike lanes are a priority for most of the Saanich residents he’s met on the doorstep.

Signature building to serve as catalyst for Shelbourne renewal
By Kyle Slavin - Saanich News

While staffers plan out the future of Shelbourne Valley – complete with dense centres and walkable villages – council OK'd what it hopes will be the "catalyst" for that change Monday night.

A small three-storey building – which will house a Vancity credit union, a medical practice and office space – will replace the single-floor dry cleaner and barbershop at the corner of Cedar Hill X Road and Stamboul Street.

We know that other cities have seen incredible economic growth as a result of rail systems in their major corridors. We know that LRT can reduce emissions significantly and can do a lot to encourage new ridership — as much as double ridership -- bringing more convenience and lower car-dependence to thousands of individuals and families.

Here in our region, we need an independent review of the proposed regional LRT system to give the public and decision-makers the information we need to evaluate these extraordinary benefits and the estimated costs to build and operate the system.

Saanich to MLAs, MPs: Show us the LRT money
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Times Colonist

Saanich council is pushing the provincial and federal governments for light rail transit funding.

Politicians voted unanimously in favour Monday night of Coun. Dean Murdock's motion to ask senior governments to pay their shares for a transit system from Douglas Street to the West Shore.

B.C. Transit, the Capital Regional District board, the Victoria Regional Transit Commission and the B.C.

Transit Board all support light rail transit.