Stickle Road excavation work proceeds --Excavation of old visitor centre part of Stickle Road developments: RDNO

MORNING STAR STAFF May. 2, 2018 11:00 a.m. LOCAL NEWS
The old visitor centre near Swan Lake is soon to be no more. Crews are working to excavate the old visitor centre on Highway 97. “I have not had a specific update from MOTI (Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure) but part of the plan involves a deceleration lane from the north to the entrance to the Silver Star RV park and therefore the area being excavated is associated with that,” said Bob Fleming, Regional District of North Okanagan area B director. Vernon Mayor Akbal Mund said the property has never belonged to the city.“The old visitor Center was part of a contract the City had with MOTI and the land could only be used as a tourist rest area and nothing else,” Mund said.

Stickle Road work starting soon - Contentious Vernon intersection being improved for safety and traffic flow

Apr. 18, 2018 9:15 a.m.NEWS Morning Star

Work will soon begin on the restructuring of a notorious North Okanagan intersection. The intersection of Stickle Road and Highway 97 – scene of a number of traffic accidents and near-record submissions to The Morning Star’s Letters to the Editor page – is being upgraded to improve safety and traffic flow through the region. “Highway 97 is an essential connector for people in the area, and for too long there have been safety concerns and mounting congestion issues at this busy intersection,” said Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “The work we are doing should relieve some of those problems. We’re also determined to respect and maintain the habitat of the nearby creek and wetlands.”

Work to improve the safety of the intersection, which is expected to be completed in fall 2018, will include:
* Converting Stickle Road at Highway 97 to a left-in, right-in and right-out intersection;
* Lengthening the northbound and southbound left-turn lanes on the highway; and
* Providing right-turn acceleration and deceleration lanes at the east and west approaches.

Okanagan Aggregates Ltd., from Armstrong, was awarded the contract to reconstruct the intersection, which has seen a significant number of crashes in the past 10 years. The $15-million project will also include an extension of 20th Street, connecting it to the south end of the existing Stickle Frontage Road. While pre-load work on this section has already begun, it will not be completed until later in 2019, depending on soil settlement. Significant environmental work was completed along the 20th Street extension ahead of construction, including relocation of fish and amphibian habitats in BX Creek. The ministry is also working with Ducks Unlimited to develop a new wetland habitat that is three times the size of the one that will be affected by the project. During construction, two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction during the day. However, motorists can expect some delays, and are reminded to obey construction speed zones and follow traffic control at all times. No official start date was announced for the project.
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Major safety improvements coming to Stickle Road intersection For Immediate Release 2018TRAN0052-000653 April 18, 2018
https://archive.news.gov.bc.ca/releases/news_releases_2017-2021/2018TRAN0052-000653.pdf

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Also see Beach Radio Article  at http://www.beachradiovernon.ca/2018/04/19/79665/

Minister defends Stickle Road plan

RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Oct. 30, 2017 9:16 a.m.NEWS

B.C.’s transportation minister is defending contentious changes to a Vernon intersection. Claire Trevena has responded to a letter from a local resident about extending 20th Street as a way of diverting traffic from Stickle Road and Highway 97.“I understand the concerns regarding the environmental significance of this area, which is why the ministry has engaged with local stewardship and First Nations groups to find ways to protect and restore the environment, while addressing the intersection’s safety challenges,” said Trevena in her Oct. 27 response. The project was started by the Liberals but has been inherited by the NDP government.“The ministry arranged for a thorough environmental assessment of the project area, which is now complete,” said Trevena. “To reduce or eliminate any potential environmental impacts, the ministry will complete a comprehensive environmental management plan; equire an environmental monitor on-site while work is being carried out in sensitive areas;conduct mitigative measures, including re-vegetation and erosion control throughout the project area anddevelop new wetland habitat in the area through a partnership with Ducks Unlimited.”Trevena added that access to the trail system through the wetland will be maintained both during and after construction.“The ministry continues to work closely with the Regional District of North Okanagan and the City of Vernon to improve the trail system along BX Creek. “The ministry examined a number of alternatives for improvement, including speed reductions, traffic signals and roundabouts. An independent third-party was consulted to review the ministry’s findings and that review supported the current plan,” she said. Trevena says there was recently another accident involving three vehicles at Highway 97 and Stickle Road, sending one person to hospital.“The ministry recognizes the significant safety challenges this intersection presents as well as the environmental concerns. Our aim is to balance the safety needs of this intersection, while giving appropriate consideration to the impacts of the planned works, which is why we have chosen to proceed with the original design,” she said.“All permits and approvals, including all environmental approvals, are in place. Tendering of the major works contract is anticipated to take place later this fall.”

Median Barrier For Highway 97

Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 KISS FM Tom Mark October 06, 2017 10:34 am

New traffic medians are going to be installed on Highway 97 just south of the Vernon. The approximately two and a half kilometres of barrier separating southbound and northbound traffic will be installed starting south of Stickle Road and continuing to 48th Avenue to prevent cross-over incidents. The work is to begin shortly and be completed by the end of the month. Kon Kast products of Kelowna was awarded the 346 thousand dollar contract. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure says on average, 23,000 vehicle trips are made every day along this section of the highway.

Update: Crash at Highway-

Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 KISS FM Pete McIntyre September 25, 2017 04:49 pm
There was long traffic backups after a three vehicle crash at Highway 97 and Stickle Road north of Vernon.BX Swan Lake Fire Dept. Captain Braydon Jones says a Civic trying to turn left off the highway was T-boned by a northbound Audi, which also damaged another vehicle. Jones says northbound traffic was reduced to one lane. “We did traffic relief and cleaned up all the debris. The patients were already in care of EHS when we got there,” he tells Kiss FM. Jones says one person from the Civic was taken to hospital with undetermined injuries. The northbound traffic was backed up to the overpass.
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Stickle Road Stickle crash injures one
Wayne Moore - Castanet Sep 25, 2017 / 3:47 pm |

A notorious Vernon intersection was the scene of a three-vehicle crash Monday afternoon. The crash occurred about 3 p.m. at Stickle Road and Highway 97. One person was taken to hospital. Northbound traffic along Highway 97 was reduced to one lane due to a damaged car sitting on the road and debris scattered over the area.BX/Swan Lake firefighters directed traffic around the accident, while others swept up broken glass. "It appears a vehicle was trying to turn left off of the highway (onto Stickle Road) when it was hit by a car heading north on the highway," said Assistant Fire Chief Aaron Varley. Another vehicle sitting at the Stickle stop sign was also damaged. The Stickle Road intersection has been the subject of heavy debate as to whether to add a traffic light. It was decided instead to extend a frontage road and place a roundabout behind Walmart. A tow truck was on scene and firefighters expected to clear the area around 4 p.m.

Green leader targets Stickle plan

RICHARD ROLKE Thu Aug 24th, 2017 2:10pmNEWS Morning Star
B.C.’s Green Party leader is getting involved in Stickle Road. Andrew Weaver has written to Transportation Minister Claire Trevena demanding information about the extension of Stickle Road through BX Creek Delta Park.“It is my understanding that the impacted wetland is key habitat for four protected species – the screech owl, western skink, western grebe, and American badger – and that the proposed changes will not accommodate bike or pedestrian travel,” he said in the letter. “I view these as substantial drawbacks to the proposal as it currently stands and would appreciate clarification as to why they are not being better addressed.” Weaver says he has heard from local residents who want the speed limit at Highway 97 and Stickle Road reduced to 50 kilometres an hour so the ministry develops a traffic plan that works for multiple stakeholder groups.
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also see https://www.castanet.net/news/Vernon/204975/Greens-step-into-Stickle

Work On Stickle Road Project Starts Tuesday

Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 KISS FM Pete McIntyre August 04, 2017 11:56 am

Steve Sirette, associate district manager for Okanagan Shuswap with the Transportation Ministry, says the first part will involve the 20th Street connection through BX Creek Delta Park. “So that involves putting some preload down to prepare the land for road construction. We’re scheduled to start that work next week, after the long weekend, and that will carry on into the fall,” Sirette tells Kiss FM. Sirette says tenders for the whole project came in high, so they decided not to award the contract, and proceed with the 20th Street connection using day labour under ministry management.The highway portion of the project will be re-tendered this fall. Sirette says it could take up to two years for the preload material is actually ready to construct the 20th Street extension. “It really depends on how the ground reacts to the preload, so it’s not an exact date. It’s something we would continually monitor over a period of time.” He says despite the recent change of BC government, the ministry remains committed to improving the safety of the Highway 97-Stickle Rd intersection. “So that’s what we’ll be moving forward with,” says Sirette. The new Transportation Minister, Claire Travena, was not made available to Kiss FM for an interview on the issue.

A local environmental group, SENS, held a protest last weekend over using the wetland for the extension.A ministry release issued Friday says the first phase of construction will require replacing the existing boardwalk off the 20th Street cul-de-sac with a temporary gravel pathway that will tie into the existing boardwalk on the west side of the planned 20th Street extension. The new gravel pathway will be available before the existing boardwalk is removed.“The ministry is committed to addressing environmental impacts during the construction of this project,” says the release. “A comprehensive environmental management plan has been completed and all necessary environmental approvals are in place. Mitigative and offsetting measures will include re-vegetation and erosion control, building new wetland habitat and having an environmental monitor on site when work is being done in sensitive areas.” Fencing and signs will be in place to direct pedestrians onto the pathway.

Stickle not a done deal

By  Darren Handschuh - Jul 29, 2017 / 5:00 am 

The Stickle Pickle might not be a done deal. What to do with the Stickle Road-Highway 97 intersection has been debated for years. The most popular solution to taming the dangerous intersection at the north end of town was a stop light, but the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure kiboshed the idea. Several other ideas were presented to the public, but in the end MOTI officials decided to extend 20th Street through a wetland from Stickle Road to behind Rona. Paving a green space had people up in arms from the start, but Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster said experts have decided it is the best plan and he stands by that decision. However, it seems extending 20th Street may not be a done deal. Foster said the government had earmarked $9.5 million for the project, but when the project went to tender, all of the bids exceeded the budgeted amount so the contract was not awarded and the project stalled. Then came the provincial election and a change of government. The NDP could change the Stickle plan altogether. “They can do whatever they like,” said Foster, adding he still stands by the MOTI decision because “it was the safest plan that was put forward. I support it 100 per cent. This is a safety issue.” While some of the wetlands would be lost, Foster said the plan calls for saving as much of the green space as possible. “The area not covered by the road will be brought back to a green space,” he said. According to a statement from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure , “This project remains a priority and we are committed to improving the safety and mobility of the Highway 97 and Stickle Road intersection in Vernon. “The ministry is committed to addressing environmental impacts during the construction of this project. Golder and Associates have completed a comprehensive environmental management plan and all necessary environmental approvals are in place. This includes re-vegetation and erosion control, building a new wetland habitat area, and the requirement to have an environmental monitor on site when any work is being done in a sensitive area. “The project is moving into the first phase with preload and surcharge work at the 20th Street Connection starting in the coming weeks. This first phase will be completed by the ministry using local day-labour construction and hired equipment.”The Sustainable Environmental Network Society is holding a rally at the trail head of the BX Creek Park today at 10 a.m. in an effort to save the entire green space.

Stickle plans drives forward

By Kate Bouey - CASTANET Nov 15, 2016 / 9:26 am

The Transportation Ministry is driving forward a controversial improvement plan for the Highway 97, Stickle Road intersection north of Vernon despite a public preference for a traffic light. But the traffic light option was ruled out after a third-party safety study found it would cause more rear end collisions, according to the ministry.The ministry plan is fully supported by Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster. "Improving safety is our top priority for the Highway 97/Stickle Road intersection," said Foster. "The ministry's design is the best option for protecting safety and it also will keep people and goods moving efficiently, so it's important to construct this project for the benefit of local highway users and the travelling public at large." The ministry plan, which will connect the south end of the Stickle Frontage Road to the end of 20th Street behind the Rona store, has been in the public eye for many months and has been condemned by a number of residents in the area and by naturalists worried about dwindling wetland. But the ministry has decided there has been enough talk. "Public engagement is an important part of this process and my ministry would like to thank everyone who provided their input at the three open houses and through feedback forms," Transportation Minister Todd Stone. "Given that many of the comments we received indicated a preference for a traffic signal to be installed, the ministry asked an independent road safety expert to compare the ministry's design with a traffic signal. “While both improvement options were considered, the report concluded that a traffic signal is not supported as it would further increase the risk of rear-end collisions and delay traffic." The report concluded that the installation of a traffic signal on a roadway where the posted speed exceeds 64 km/hr can provide an overall five per cent reduction in crashes, however the frequency of rear-end collisions can increase substantially. In comparison, the restricted movement configuration can result in an overall 20 per cent reduction in crashes. A total of 150 people commented on the project through feedback forms, email and mail – many of them calling for a traffic light at the intersection. The ministry also held consultations with the City of Vernon, the regional district, local stakeholders and with the public. The proposed changes at the Stickle Road intersection will extend left turn lanes onto Highway 97 and see the installation of acceleration and deceleration lanes while removing the left turn onto the highway. As well, there will be a new road to connect the south end of the Stickle Frontage Road to the end of 20th Street in Vernon.

The ministry says these improvements will:

increase safety by reducing the number and severity of collisions at the intersection
maintain the flow of traffic along Highway 97
maintain access to Stickle Road for residents and businesses
In an effort to appease naturalists, the ministry also plans to improve fish habitat, plant native riparian vegetation, remove invasive plant species and install bird and bat nesting boxes. As well, crews will rebuild portions of the existing BX Creek corridor trail that are impacted by the planned improvements, to ensure existing access to Swan Lake and BX Creek are maintained.

The $9.5 million project is expected to go to tender by early 2017. The ministry estimated that a traffic signal would have cost approximately $7.8 million.
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Link to Report http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/driving-and-transportation/transportation-infrastructure/projects/okanagan-valley-corridor/stickle/stickle-safety-review.pdf

Accident at controversial Stickle Road intersection

by Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star Vernon posted Oct 27, 2016 at 10:00 AM— updated Oct 27, 2016 at 11:00 AM

Stickle Road is being made famous, again. Emergency crews responded to an accident at the controversial Vernon intersection Thursday morning. A trailer was flipped on its side as it was trying to leave the campground, heading north onto Highway 97. "I was right behind it," said nearby resident George Zimmerman. "A trailer from Alberta was trying to make a left turn to home and a half-ton smacked it right on its side." All occupants, of both vehicles, managed to walk away from the accident, according to Zimmerman. But this incident, he says, is just another reminder that some interim measures need to be taken at the dangerous intersection. "Right now if they're not going to do anything, they should at least bring the speed limit down," said Zimmerman, who suggests lowering the speed to 70 km/hr. Zimmerman has long been fighting for safety improvements to the intersection, following years of watching the accidents and near-misses. "I never even make a left turn there, I'll go down to McDonald's and turn around there if I have to go to Armstrong or anything." BX-Swan Lake firefighters, RCMP and Highways crews were on scene at the accident.

Here’s how much Vernon’s infamous Stickle Road 'odyssey' is costing taxpayers

By Charlotte Helston INFONews.ca October 14, 2016 - 6:30 PM
VERNON - The Stickle Road improvement project in Vernon has been sent back to the drawing board multiple times over the past year and a half, and all those traffic studies and design costs are adding up. A freedom of information request by iNFOnews.ca shows the Ministry of Transportation has spent roughly $370,000 to date exploring various options for the dangerous intersection of Stickle Road and Highway 97, just north of Vernon. The original improvement plan came out in May 2015 at an open house. The idea was a right-in, right-out only configuration that would eliminate left-hand turns from Stickle Road onto Highway 97. That plan was quickly shot down by politicians and members of the public. Records show the provincial government was billed nearly $61,000 for engineering services, design work and studies related to the Stickle Road project prior to the open house.

After the proposal was slammed by the community, R.F. Binnie & Associates Ltd., the contractor hired by the ministry to research options for the intersection, was asked to explore other designs, including signalization and a protected-T intersection. Work carried out between May and July 2015, much of it focussed on the concept of a protected-T intersection, racked up roughly $105,000. But politicians and residents weren’t happy with the protected-T idea either, and the ministry again went back to the drawing board. In August 2015, the province started investigating a new idea which involves paving through a wetland area to connect a frontage road with 20 Street behind Rona. Since the ministry shifted efforts to the 20 Street extension concept, work conducted by Binnie, and Golder Associates (a geotechnical and environmental consulting firm), has run up costs of just under $203,000 in design concepts, groundwater tests, and engineering studies. And this latest iteration of the plan still isn’t pleasing everyone. A naturalist group is opposing the project on grounds it will destroy habitat for wildlife and a valued green space used by walkers and cyclists.

Some local politicians, such as Vernon city councillor Scott Anderson, question why the ministry hasn’t developed the one design most locals actually want: a traffic light. “I find it astonishing that the ministry repeatedly rejects a cost-effective traffic light solution that most stakeholders want, while racking up well over a quarter million dollars in costs to try to find a far more expensive alternative that few stakeholders want,” Anderson says. “By the time this ridiculous odyssey is over these mounting consultation expenses may be more than the light would have cost in the first place. Where’s the common sense in that?” North Okanagan Regional District director Mike Macnabb is also frustrated with the process. His concerns with the current idea of extending 20 Street include loss of parkland, as well as unforeseen consequences such as issues on other roads due to the new traffic flow. “I think this is a pretty expensive experiment with no certainty,” he says. While surprised at how much work the ministry contracted out to private firms, Macnabb says studies do cost money but are worthwhile. “Going to the public too soon with no plan is not effective. You have to start somewhere,” Macnabb says. He feels that engaging the public, and spending money coming up with the best design concept, is appropriate in a multi-million dollar construction project — as long as it’s fruitful. “It’s how much are you actually going to listen to the public? That’s the more important thing to ask. And if your preconceived idea is not going to change, and you’re only doing this because you have to, that is a problem and not a good use of money,” Macnabb says. The ministry has previously said a traffic light would inhibit traffic flow, increase the risk of rear-enders, and create more greenhouse gas emissions — but Macnabb is hopeful the stance may change with the upcoming provincial election. “If there’s a change of government, the new ministry may look at this and say this does not make sense. It could be completely different,” he says.We requested an interview with Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster but did not hear back by deadline.

Editor’s note: Our freedom of information request resulted in more than two dozen individual invoices and it remains unclear if certain costs were itemized twice. We have contacted the Ministry of Finance for clarification of these amounts, but have not yet received an answer. As such, the amounts represented in this article are approximate. You can view the documents directly here.

When we submitted our freedom of information request in July 2016, we requested all records from April 1, 2015 to date. Due to the length of time it took for the ministry to process our request, our story does not reflect any additional costs accrued between July and today’s date.

Petition fights to save BX Creek park

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Vernon posted Oct 5, 2016 at 8:00 AM

Greater Vernon residents are being urged to speak out against plans for a road in a wetland. The North Okanagan Naturalists Club has launched an online petition against the Ministry of Transportation’s plans to extend 20th Street through BX Creek Delta Park. “The roadbed, the road itself and sidewalks would reduce the wetland to little more than ditches,” states the petition. The ministry’s 20th Street extension is part of a proposal to improve safety conditions at Stickle Road and Highway 97. “People would loose a treasured greenspace which is very well used by walkers, runners, dog walkers, photographers, nature enthusiasts and commuters on foot or bike. It is an area filled with birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and plants. This is not the solution to Stickle Road,” says the club.” The club also makes a personal plea to Transportation Minister Todd Stone. “There is so little to be gained and so much to lose. Mr. Minister think long-term and think outside the box. It’s not worth losing another wetland for this,” it states. Eric Foster, Vernon-Monashee MLA, supports the 20th Street extension but he doesn’t have a problem with the club’s petition. “They can certainly do that. It’s a free country,” he said. However, Foster insists significant work has been done by the ministries of environment and transportation while planning for the road. “There will be minimal impact on the wetland. There’s always been an intention to put a road in there,” he said. “We build roads every day and we have minimal impact.”

Stickle Rollover

Posted on 9/30/2016 11:12 AM by Ron Manz 107.5 KISSFM
There has been another crash at the controversial Stickle Road intersection north of Vernon. BX-Swan Lake Fire Rescue were called to use the jaws of life to extract a female driver from a black SUV that rolled trapping her inside. Fire Chief Bill Wacey says she tried to avoid a truck and tailer turning left. "She ended up flipping it. She was in the southbound land and ended up flipping it over the median and landing on it's roof in the northbound lane." It's believed the woman suffered minor injuries. "The jaws of life arrived on seen and were just being pulled out when paramedics arrived. She was taken out through the passenger window and I don't get the feeling that she was seriously hurt." Businesses in the area want a traffic light installed at that intersection, but the Transportation Dept. wants a designed left turn lane put in with no left turns onto Highway 97 from Stickle.

MLA Says Stickle Plan Not Changing

Posted on 8/15/2016 9:37 AM by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISFM
Vernon's MLA suggests the ongoing opposition to the Stickle Road plan may be politically motivated. The issue continues to generate a number of letters to the local paper, with most criticizing Eric Foster and calling for a traffic light. Foster says his office has been contacting many of the writers of those letter. "They haven't seen the plan. They haven't been out to the meetings, most of them. I don't know. We've invited a lot of the folks down to our office to take a look at the plan where the traffic routes are going to go, and they don't seem interested." Foster is sure it will be an election issue, leading up to next May. "There was an article in the paper the other day, saying we don't listen and they commented on the mayor not supporting the people and what the community wants. In fact, he was very outspoken about it. This is a good alternative. It addresses all the safety issues and the traffic flow." Foster says the province's third plan for Stickle Road to not allow left turns onto the highway at Stickle and extended 20th Street for a one way route into Vernon, won't be going back for another review. "We're moving forward with it unless something, the engineering people, come up with some reason we can't. It's got to go forward. We are not going to put a traffic light on the highway." Foster says the engineering and traffic counts on that highway don't support a light. "It's like 24,000 (vehicles) a day, so 12,000 each way. They don't want a traffic light," Foster tells Kiss FM.

Highways Department Consistent. No Traffic Light at this intersection either.

https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016TRAN0225-001431

First tender to be issued for McKenzie interchange construction

Quick Facts:

The Government of Canada is contributing up to $32,647,500 under the New Building Canada Fund’s Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component-National and Regional Projects. The Government of British Columbia is funding the remaining $52,352,500 towards the total estimated cost of $85 million.

Visit the McKenzie Interchange project website at:http://engage.gov.bc.ca/mckenzieinterchange/  
http://engage.gov.bc.ca/mckenzieinterchange/projectdesign/

Premier comes out in support of Stickle Road plan

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Jul 13, 2016 at 12:00 PM

B.C.’s premier is defending the process at a dangerous local intersection. Many residents insist the Ministry of Transportation has ignored their calls for a traffic signal at Highway 97 and Stickle Road. “Some times people mean they didn’t get the answer they wanted,” said Christy Clark while on a Vernon stop Wednesday. The ministry is planning a ban on left-turns from Stickle Road on to the highway and a one-way extension of 20th Street into Vernon on the east side of Stickle Road. “The ministry has come to a good compromise,” said Clark. Eric Foster, Vernon-Monashee MLA, is adamant the public has not been ignored. “The ministry held several public meetings,” he said. “The original plan was scrapped the ministry reached an agreement with the business association.” The Swan Lake Business Corridor Association recently indicated it would accept the ministry’s plans and drop demands for a traffic signal. If the ministry’s current design moves ahead, it could take two years for the $9.5 million project to be constructed, with work starting as early as this fall.

Business group reluctantly accepts Stickle plan

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Jun 27, 2016 at 10:00 AM— updated Jun 27, 2016 at 11:32 AM
The white flag has been raised over Stickle Road. The Swan Lake Business Corridor Association has backed off its demands for a traffic signal at Stickle Road and Highway 97 after a meeting with the Ministry of Transportation. “We were told for safety and traffic flow reasons, they won’t put in a light,” said Pat Loehndorf, association president. The ministry is proposing a ban on left-turns from Stickle Road on to the highway and a one-way extension of 20th Street into Vernon on the east side of Stickle Road. “Something is better than nothing,” said Loehndorf. “Is it what we want? No. Is it a compromise? Yes.” Loehndorf says there was considerable discussion within his group about abandoning immediate calls for a traffic signal, but he says there was no choice. “They aren’t budging period and the risk if we take a stance that it’s a light or nothing is they will take that budget and move on to the next project.” Loehndorf says the ministry may be convinced ultimately to construct a traffic signal somewhere along the corridor and communications between the association and the ministry must remain open. “We are taking a gamble if we take nothing from them.” Eric Foster, Vernon-Monashee MLA, is pleased that the business association has come on board behind the ministry plan. “We’ve addressed all of the things asked for by the businesses and residents which was safety,” he said. “We have come a long ways from where the ministry started. I think people will be happy when it’s done.”

Stuck on Stickle

By Kate Bouey - CASTANET Jun 24, 2016 / 3:30 pm

A traffic signal at Highway 97 and the notorious Stickle Road, north of Vernon, appears to be the preferred option among members of the public despite efforts to find a different solution, according to a transportation ministry spokesperson. However the ministry is still going through the approximately 150 comments from feedback forms, email and regular mail, submitted during and after a May 26th open house. A total of 234 people attended. At that session, ministry officials explained their $9.5 million plan, which does not include a traffic light for the intersection where there has been a number of fatal accidents. The ministry plan included changes to both the intersection and an extension of 20th Street from behind the Rona store through to Stickle Road. Acceleration and deceleration lanes were proposed for the west side of the highway. “We are still going through all of the comments but the majority of public responses seem to indicate a preference for a traffic signal,” said Kate Mukasa, public affairs officer. “This is important for us to know and, as we stated in the materials presented at the open house, public input will be considered along with technical, environmental and financial information, and input from local governments.” The ministry stated that once all the input is reviewed, the next steps would be considered.