Transportation Infrastructure Maintenance & Inspection Policy
Overview
The District of Tofino is committed to maintaining safe, reliable, and accessible transportation infrastructure for residents and visitors. This new policy will establish a consistent approach to how District-owned roads, sidewalks, pathways, signage, and streetlights are inspected, maintained, and repaired.
By aligning with the District’s Asset Management Program, the policy will ensure infrastructure maintenance is proactive, strategic, and responsive to public safety needs.
Key Objectives
This policy supports the following goals:
Safety First: Reduce risks to pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers by ensuring timely repair of hazards.
Consistency & Transparency: Provide clear standards for how infrastructure issues are prioritized and addressed.
Asset Stewardship: Integrate maintenance practices with the District’s long-term asset management planning.
Budget Efficiency: Use inspection data to inform budget preparation and service level expectations.
Community Reporting: Encourage residents to report concerns or defects to help staff address issues quickly.
Public Consultation
The District is inviting community feedback to help guide the direction of the policy. Specifically, the District are seeking input on:
- What would you like to see included in the policy?
- Have you experienced challenges with the condition of roads, sidewalks, or pathways in Tofino? If so, what would have improved the situation?
- What areas of Tofino do you feel require more regular maintenance or monitoring?
- Are there particular safety concerns you think should be a top priority when it comes to roads and pathways?
- What expectations do you have for how the District responds to public reports of infrastructure issues?
Residents are encouraged to provide their input using the feedback tool below.
All feedback will be compiled and presented to Council for consideration prior to the adoption of the policy.
Public Consultation Period: July 2-31, 2025
Feedback
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
Who's Listening
-
Director of Infrastructure & Public Works
Email skirkland@tofino.ca -
Asset Management Coordinator
Email wcreba@tofino.ca
What to include: 1. A schedule of improvements or fixes of inadequate sidewalks or roads. 2. Integrate the snow and ice removal policy in this one. 3. Acknowledgement for the responsibility of snow removal from sidewalks being the property owners bordering them, that many roads here have no or sidewalks on only on one side. Should we be responsible for a sidewalk opposite our house? 4. Signage standards and installation, especially adding "No Idling." Maybe put up a sign reminding people not to park in front of fire hydrants (this happens a few times a year on First St at Gibson.)
Conditions: 1. The sidewalk on First St between the Post Office and the Children's Centre is in bad shape with trip hazards and it is very slanted where it borders the hospital grounds. It is also very narrow. It is almost impossible for a senior with a scooter to navigate this stretch. 2. The Gibson gravel section is particularly annoying to me as I live next to it. It's noisy, dusty (and muddy when it rains), and develops pot holes constantly. Vehicles, especially pickup trucks rev up it as if they are climbing Mt Denali, kicking gravel everywhere. RVs go up it as the "No RV" sign is tiny, and large heavy trucks use it regularly. Plus every day at least one vehicle goes the wrong way. Recently a pickup hauling a good size boat went the wrong way, followed by a second truck. Maybe put up a camera and catch these scofflaws? Get some money in fines? When is this going to be made a proper road? Now that it is open and with parking, there's obviously no going back to a pedestrian and bicycle path. It does need to have traffic calming, since it ends at the school. 3. And, in front of of the school parking lot, and the last houses on Gibson after Third St is in terrible shape as well. Maybe you all don't like us who live in this area? 4. Some roads have no sidewalks at all, and given the bad driving habits of locals, I am surprised there have been no injuries. 5. I know several people who are scared to walk on the MUP anymore due to fast e-bikes and too much traffic, which includes e-scooters and even an e-motorcycle. No one seems to follow rules like ride right, pass left, alert people you gain on, so perhaps more signage and a speed limit are needed. 6. I still think a three way stop at PacRim and Industrial Way would be a good idea. Drivers speed around the corner and those trying to turn left off Industrial Way can hardly see them until they are too close. A warning off a stop ahead should work, and slowing the traffic in this community can only be a good thing. Surely other communities in our hilly province have stop signs at the end of a sloped road?
District Response: it should be easy to report a problem. Often it is difficult to find out who to ask. Most residents don't spend much time or effort to understand the municipal structure and they shouldn't have to.