Significant upgrades have occurred on a rural Lumby road after a tragic accident.
Shuswap River Drive, near the dam, has been widened and concrete barriers have been installed where Gregg Fisher, 69, died when his truck left the road June 14, 2014 and plunged into the Shuswap River.
“It’s pretty amazing,” said brother Richard Fisher of the Ministry of Transportation project.
“I knew they would put in a barrier but I didn’t expect the spectacular work they did.”
The work includes 50 to 60 yards of large concrete blocks and widening the road by an additional 10 to 12 feet.
Trees have also been removed so there isn’t a blind corner at Shuswap River Drive and Mabel Lake Road.
“It will be impossible for any other vehicle to go off the road,” said Richard Fisher.
“No other family will have to go through what we have.”
As a result of Gregg Fisher’s death, residents in the area launched a petition demanding road improvements from the ministry.
“They said something positive has to happen out of this and we have to thank the citizens for not letting this go,” said Sylvia Fisher, Gregg’s sister-in-law.
Key to applying pressure on the ministry was Larry MacGregor, who met Gregg in 1966 and lived next door.
“Nobody else will go over there again,” said MacGregor.
“It was pretty bad there and we were concerned about the school bus.”
While pleased with the work, MacGregor says it’s unfortunate that upgrades didn’t occur until there was a fatality.
“The government should be more proactive on dangerous spots,” he said.
