Opposition from virtually all of Vernon council won’t be enough to divert plans for a dangerous intersection, says the local MLA.
Eric Foster, who represents Vernon-Monashee, says he’s frustrated that all six city councillors have come out against the Ministry of Transportation’s proposal for Stickle Road and Highway 97.
“None of the council members came to any of the presentations and their engineering staff are in favour of this proposal,” he said.
The six councillors want a traffic signal at the intersection, but the ministry is proposing a ban on left-turns at Stickle Road and the highway and a one-way extension of 20th Street into Vernon.
“It’s a good, safe alternative to what’s there now,” said Foster.
Besides the six councillors, most businesses in the Stickle Road area have demanded a traffic signal as have an overwhelming number of residents who attended three open houses hosted by the ministry.
“There is no support for the alternate plan,” said Coun. Scott Anderson at a recent council meeting.
Anderson added that speed needs to be reduced because of an existing bump and curve on the southbound overpass.
“Hitting that thing is suicidal. A stop light would stagger traffic.”
But Foster points out that the ministry plan has been endorsed by Mayor Akbal Mund and he is receiving positive comments from residents calling his office or speaking to him.
“These are the thousands of people who travel the highway every day,” he said.
The ministry is currently reviewing feedback from a recent open house but Foster is confident the current proposal will proceed.
