Image Credit: FILE PHOTO
February 26, 2018 - 4:30 PM
MERRITT - The mayor of Merritt says major accidents like last night's crash on the Coquihalla that sent 29 people to hospital could be curbed if highway maintenance improves.
Neil Menard says he, three city councillors and the city's chief administrative officer will be heading to Victoria this week to meet with the province's Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Menard hopes to discuss potential solutions to problems he sees on highways across the province, specifically those in the Southern Interior, including the Coquihalla Highway.
He says they will discuss speed corridors, highway policing, snow removal and proper training for truck drivers.
Menard has been vocal about highway maintenance in the Southern Interior, specifically between Merritt and Hope, Merritt and Kamloops, and the Okanagan Connector from Merritt to Kelowna.
"What’s concerning is the maintenance of the highway," Menard says. "We don’t think it’s being properly maintained with the weather we’ve had, it’s been a rough winter."
He adds the maintenance company contracted for the highways, VSA Maintenance, needs to do a better job with snow removal during a storm, and getting prepared before a storm comes through.
As for last night's accident, Feb. 25, that sent 29 people to hospital, Menard says serious crashes like those could be curbed if the roads were properly maintained. Police believe winter driving conditions were a major factor.
"It’s not the first one that’s happened. Just about every week we’ve had a closure of the Coquihalla," Menard says. "If the highway is properly maintained it’s going to certainly lessen the chances of accidents happening."
He says this winter has been a "disaster" for driving on the highways surrounding Merritt, and it's an issue he's been trying to bring attention to for years.
On Wednesday, Feb. 28, Menard, the three councillors and the chief administrative officer will be meeting with the Transportation Minister.
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