City wants changes to intersection

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: July 27, 2010 7:00 PM

Action is being sought over a deadly North Okanagan intersection. Vernon council is demanding Transportation Minister Shirley Bond visit the area so she can observe conditions at Highway 97 and Bailey Road. “Every year we have a death there and they (ministry) just put it off,” said Coun. Jack Gilroy. RCMP report that since 2005, there have been 73 accidents at that intersection, including two fatalities. On June 7, Kelowna resident Kim Todd died when her vehicle was struck at Bailey Road by a southbound minivan as she tried to pull out on to the highway. At that time, ministry officials stated that the turnoff to Predator Ridge would be reviewed because of the accident, but a traffic signal was not warranted. Gilroy wants the intersection changed so only right-in and right-out traffic is allowed. “It’s a simple fix,” he said.

City staff have had some discussions with the ministry in the past about the intersection. “They recognize the issues but politically there has to be a push,” said Rob Dickinson, the city’s engineering general manager. Coun. Patrick Nicol points out that many residents have expressed concern about conditions there, and they should be allowed to meet with Bond. “They (residents) want a careful examination and restructure of that intersection,” he said. Because the intersection is outside of city limits and the highway is a major corridor for the entire valley, other jurisdictions will also be asked to join the lobbying effort. “We need to ask the regional district to become part of the push and Lake Country because it’s a neighbour right there,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert. Besides the Bailey Road intersection, the city also wants the Ministry of Transportation to investigate safety improvements to Highway 97 and Bernie Road, which leads to the landfill.