Mystery roadway barriers appear overnight near Gabriola Island ferry terminal

A stretch of road near Gabriola Island’s busy Descanso Bay ferry terminal looks noticeably different — and no one in government is taking credit.

Overnight, a series of reflective roadway delineators appeared alongside a pedestrian path near the terminal, separating foot traffic from vehicles in an area residents say has long been plagued by congestion and safety concerns.

While such barriers are common in many communities, their sudden appearance on Gabriola has raised eyebrows because they were installed without authorization.

Steven Earle, a long-time island resident and representative with the Gabriola Transportation Society, says he was surprised to discover the posts — and even more surprised to learn they weren’t installed by transportation officials.

“It was done in the middle of the night by somebody here on the island,” Earle said.

Delineators are typically used to slow traffic and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, especially in areas without curbs or marked shoulders. Earle says he welcomes the added protection, but views the move as a temporary fix to a deeper infrastructure problem.

Roughly every 40 minutes, a ferry unloads vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians into the small terminal area, creating what Earle describes as “traffic chaos.” He and other residents have been lobbying for a dedicated 650-metre multi-use trail to better manage the flow of people and vehicles.

Those efforts, he says, have stalled due to jurisdictional challenges. As part of the Regional District of Nanaimo, Gabriola’s road infrastructure falls under provincial authority — a process residents feel has moved too slowly.

Jan Moore, who has lived on the island for more than two decades, says the growing traffic has eroded the sense of safety that once drew her to Gabriola.

“There are no crosswalks, no lights, and often people don’t even stop at the stop signs,” she said, adding that Ferry Hill is just one of several problem areas.

Regional District of Nanaimo electoral area director Vanessa Craig agrees improvements are needed, but cautions against residents taking matters into their own hands.

“I wouldn’t encourage people to do this themselves,” Craig said. “But I understand the frustration.”

Craig says the regional district is planning a feasibility study in 2026 to explore longer-term solutions, though she acknowledges that major upgrades remain years away.

The Ministry of Transportation says it is investigating who installed the delineators. For now, officials say the barriers will remain in place while staff monitor for safety or operational concerns. Removal could be considered if issues arise.

As for who installed the posts, residents appear content to let the mystery stand.

“We’re thankful,” Moore said. “And we’re not ratting anyone out.”