Stickle Road at Highway 97.
Image Credit: Google Maps Streetview
May 12, 2015 - 11:26 AM
VERNON - Elected representatives refuse to keep quiet about their concerns around a Ministry of Transportation initiative to modify the Stickle Road intersection at Highway 97 in Vernon.
Not only does local government disagree with the plan, which would see the intersection changed to right in, right out only (municipalities want a traffic light instead) but politicians are also taking issue with the province’s consultation process — or lack thereof.
Coun. Scott Anderson, who has spoken out about how the Ministry of Transportation ignored input from local government, made a point of bringing up the topic at a council meeting Monday, May 11. He asked fellow councillors and the mayor to consider sending a letter to the province making their concerns known. There was no opposition.
“I don’t agree with their (the ministry’s) approach,” Coun. Bob Spiers said.
He said a recent open house about the project was more about presenting the final concept than gathering public input.
“It seems crazy why they wouldn’t have a stop light there,” Spiers said.
According to the Ministry of Transportation, a traffic light won’t work at the intersection for a number of reasons — it would inhibit the flow of highway traffic, increase greenhouse gas emissions, and raise the risk of rear-end accidents.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015