In response to a petition from Revelstoke residents asking for safety improvements at the intersection of Oak Drive and Highway 1, they were assured that "safety is the Ministry of Transportations and Transits top priority."
The petition, started by Iveta Krskova on Nov. 7, outlines concerns of the area that consists of approximately 450 full-time residents, a hotel, campground, holiday chalets, a brewery and a large development but is only accessible by the one intersection.
"This intersection has become increasingly dangerous over the last few years, with multiple accidents, including fatalities – not to mention the near misses that happen regularly," she states on the Change.org petition which, since starting on Nov. 7, already has 719 of the 1,000 signature goal.
Specifically, Krskova hazards include a high volume of summer traffic with no merge lane, and in winter plowing delays that make it difficult to turn off the highway in backed-up traffic that is following closely. She added that highway closures due to vehicle collisions create a backup of traffic that makes it next to impossible to enter or exit the neighbourhood. Additionally, she said, the increased volume from the new development will likely just exacerbate the situation.
"For a community within city limits, this lack of safe access is unacceptable."
After contacting the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI), Black Press Media received a reply that indicated the matter is being addressed.
"The ministry regularly monitors its road network to maintain safety and reliability. The ministry will continue to work with the City of Revelstoke to evaluate potential improvements to the intersection at Highway 1 and Oak Drive," the email reads. "The ministry is committed to working closely with the city, especially as development growth occurs with potential impacts to highway safety and functionality at that intersection."
Though MoTI's reply indicated a committed response, it didn't reference the requests and solutions Krskova suggested in the petition. The first was to reduce the speed limit there where city limits start to the Meadow in the Sky Parkway junction, a stretch that at 100 kilometres per hour "has seen a significant increase in accidents."
Her other suggestion is to install traffic lights at the Oak intersection to manage traffic flow, with Krskova stating that the developer is willing to fund that, "a solution our neighbourhood fully supports and sees as the only sustainable solution."
"These improvements are critical, and in need of prompt execution, to ensure the safety of all residents and travellers," she said in conclusion. "We urge MoTI to prioritize these actions to prevent further loss of life."
The petition can be found online at Change.org under Krskova's name.
