A potentially dangerous Spallumcheen intersection has moved a step closer to being fixed.
The ministry of transportation held an open house Wednesday at the township office to show its plans for improving the intersection at Eagle Rock Road and Highway 97A.
“We’re looking at putting in a T-intersection to improve safety and mobility, improve sight lines, putting in left-turn capabilities and illumination,” said Wayne Fraser, the ministry’s regional manager for project delivery in the southern region.
Fraser explained that the project is being made “shelf-ready” for when a funding announcement for the project is made.
The project is likely to cost around $3 million.
The intersection is located in a heavy industrial area. Ministry statistics show more than 13,000 vehicles per day (VPD) travel Highway 97A, and that number increases to 18,000 VPD during peak summer hours at the intersection with Eagle Rock Road.
Traffic composition consists of 91 per cent passenger vehicles, and nine per cent heavy trucks and buses.
There have been 20 collisions within 200 metres on either side of Eagle Rock Road between 2002 and 2011. Thirty-five per cent of those accidents involved rear-end collisions.
Besides the protected T-intersection, there would be improved alignment to provide better sight lines, an improved left-turn bay and improved deceleration lanes, and there would be a flashing amber light installed to alert motorists to the approaching left-turn lane.
Among the public looking over the ministry’s proposed plan and charts were Cy and Evelyn DeGryse, who own property that borders Eagle Rock Road, Highway 97A and Pleasant Valley Road.
“We came because we’re interested in what’s happening at the Eagle Rock intersection,” said Cy DeGryse.
“It’s an excellent plan because it is a dangerous intersection, and what they’re planning is necessary.”
Fraser said the ministry continues to work with property owners such as the DeGryses as far as purchasing properties in order to get the property it needs to move forward with the plan, adding “everything is going well to date.”
“We hope to see this project started and completed in the spring and summer (of 2013) and that’s to be announced.”
said Fraser.
