Posted on 7/22/2015 by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM
Regional District of North Okanagan directors find out more today about the new plan for Highway 97 and Stickle Road north of Vernon. A transportation official will outline the controlled T intersection proposal to the board, similar to what Vernon council heard about -- and criticized -- last week. BX-Swan Lake director Bob Fleming is taking a wait and see approach, before passing judgement on the new plan. "If they are in fact proposing a controlled T, and they can accommodate some of the issues surrounding access to businesses, I would much rather see an improvement such as that, than nothing," Fleming tells Kiss FM. Fleming still feels a traffic light is the best option, even though the ministry doesn't want to go that route at this time. "My opinion hasn't changed.A traffic light at some point in the future is inevitable. They don't seem to be keen to do that." The ministry feels that would unnecessarily slow down highway traffic, create more rear-end collisions at the light site and add to greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles waiting for light. Vernon mayor Akbal Mund, who sits on the RDNO board, would prefer a traffic light and lowered speed limit in that area. "What's wrong with a 70 (km-h) speed limit? Their fear is that no one is going to do that speed limit, but that doesn't matter. Make it 70. They do it in other areas," Mund tells Kiss FM. Vernon Monashee MLA Eric Foster is supporting this second plan by the ministry, calling it the best alternative, even though he says it would cost millions more than putting in a traffic light.
No comments:
Post a Comment