Highways continue to be a top priority for Golden politicians as MLA Norm Macdonald blasts the Provincial Budget for leaving Highway 1 road improvements near Golden off the list. The BC Liberals have pledged to complete a four-laning project from Kamloops to the Alberta border, but Macdonald’s hopes of seeing that promise reflected in this year’s budget were dashed. “So many promises, and so much effort on behalf of local politicians, came to nothing (last week) as the BC Liberal budget released on Tuesday completely ignored the Trans Canada highway upgrade,” said Macdonald. While there are small amounts budgeted towards Highway 1, the projects are small and focused on Kamloops. According to ICBC statistics reported by Global News, the stretch of the Trans-Canada between Revelstoke and Golden was the scene of 38 fatal crashes in the 10 years from 2004–2013, making it the deadliest stretch of highway in the province.
There were 14 fatal crashes from Sicamous to Revelstoke, 24 from Sicamous to Sorrento, and 24 from Sorrento to Kamloops.
“How many times has there been a fatality on that stretch of road? How many closures occur in Kamloops?” asked Macdonald. “The BC Liberals are quite willing to put signs up ahead of every election claiming that they are completing the four-laning of the Trans Canada through Revelstoke and Golden, but instead they do nothing.”
Macdonald pointed out that nearly a billion dollars over four years was given away in this budget to the wealthiest British Columbians, money that could have made a significant difference if spent on highway improvements in Columbia River-Revelstoke.
“The BC Liberals have made their priorities crystal clear: a billion dollars for millionaires is more important than the safety of citizens travelling on the Trans Canada Highway. People in this area think those priorities are shameful,” said Macdonald.
*With files from the Revelstoke Times Review
