In 2008, Joe Veldhoen predicted someone else would be killed at the intersection of the Trans-Canada Highway and 38th Street NE.
Sadly his prediction came true.
On Feb. 26, a Salmon Arm man died near that area after apparently running out onto the Trans-Canada Highway where he was hit by a westbound mini-van.
Salmon Arm RCMP report that alcohol consumption by the pedestrian is suspected to be a contributing factor in the incident.
In 2008, a 79-year-old man died on Oct. 16 when he tried to drive his Ford Topaz across lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway from 38th Street NE and collided with an eastbound pick-up truck.
So Veldhoen is renewing his efforts to have improvements to both the highway and the 10th Avenue NE frontage road installed.
“Something needs to be done,” says Veldhoen. “I said back then it was an accident waiting to happen, and it’s true.”
Veldhoen would like to see the speed reduced on the Trans-Canada Highway from 90 km/h to 70 km/h, the installation of traffic lights and left-turn lanes at 38th Street NE, and some type of pedestrian crossing.
But the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure says there are no plans to upgrade the highway in the near future.
“Currently, there are no plans to reduce the speed limit or make changes to the configuration of the intersection,” says Kate Trotter, ministry spokesperson.
Trotter says the ministry is saddened to hear of the most recent death and is awaiting the outcome of RCMP and BC Coroner’s investigations.
“The ministry will work with the coroner and the RCMP on any recommendations they may have,” she adds.
Veldhoen is also concerned about the speed and safety on the frontage road, which runs directly in front of his residence. He says drivers are using the frontage road as a “shortcut” to avoid the Trans-Canada Highway junction with Highway 97B and are frequently speeding.
“They treat that frontage road, just like it’s a highway,” says Veldhoen. “Even the semis are using it.”
Veldhoen says he’s timed the drive and there is no time savings to drivers using the frontage road, because they are met with two stop signs.
He is looking for the City of Salmon Arm to put in rumble strips and “local traffic only” signs on the frontage road.
The city, however, says such measures are not practical.
“It is a public road, so restricting traffic would be really difficult. Measures like rumble strips are not generally used to slow traffic, more to alert drivers to a hazard. They are also expensive to maintain,’ says Rob Niewenhuisen, director of engineering and public works.
Niewenhuisen intends to advise the RCMP of Veldhoen’s concern in hopes they can increase speed enforcement along the frontage road.
