Darren Handschuh - CASTANET Nov 2, 2015 / 6:53 pm
Vernon's mayor will have a detailed look at the latest Stickle Road solution on Friday. Akbal Mund said he will meet with Vernon-Monahsee MLA Eric Foster and officials of the Ministry of Transportation (MOT) to look at the newest proposal for the troubled intersection. The latest plan calls for the extension of a frontage road that parallels Highway 97, and would eliminate the need to make a left-hand turn from Stickle onto the highway. Currently 20th Street dead ends behind Rona, but the new plan would extend 20th to connect with the frontage road that runs past several car and RV dealerships. Mund said he has not seen the proposal yet, but noted the idea is not a new one as it was suggested to the province several months ago. “We had discussed that earlier with Eric (Foster) and the MOT,” said Mund. “They are going to come back to us with the preliminary plans on how it would work or not work.” Mund could not comment further on the proposal because he had not seen the exact plans. How to best remedy the dangerous intersection at the north end of town has been the centre of heated debate for months. Turning toward town from Stickle requires a driver to navigate three lanes of high-speed traffic, making for a dangerous maneuver. Foster is enthused about the new plan. “It makes perfect sense from a safety point of view. People who want to come into town will not have to turn left on the highway,” said Foster last week. The contentious issue has been put to the public twice before with ideas such as a protected T intersection, but the previous suggestions were met with heavy criticism. One of the more popular plans with the public and area businesses was to have a stop light at the intersection, but Foster said experts with the MOT said that plan was not viable. Foster said 24,000 cars a day go past Stickle Road on the highway and a light would slow traffic and create the potential for accidents.
No comments:
Post a Comment