In the last two months there have been two significant pedestrian-vehicle incidents at the intersection of Shuswap Street and the Trans-Canada Highway (Dec. 18, 2011 and Feb. 16, 2012). Luckily there were no fatalities this time.
The risk to pedestrians and vehicles at this crossing was raised during the Salmon Arm Smart Growth project completed in 2009. Suggestions to improve pedestrian and vehicle safety included constructing a vehicle underpass on the TCH under Shuswap Street and (or) putting a pedestrian-only underpass in the vicinity of the Salmar Theatre. At that time, the former mayor indicated that he did not think the risk to pedestrians at the Shuswap Street intersection was great enough to warrant any changes. In my opinion, as evidenced by the recent incidents, this does not appear to be the case.
Perhaps it is time to revisit the Smart Growth ideas that would improve safety and make the downtown more pedestrian-friendly. The recommendations of the Smart Growth project can be accessed on the City of Salmon Arm website (www.salmonarm.ca/siteengine/activepage.asp) by clicking on Smart Growth Report.
Bill Remphrey
