'Should' is not acceptable for $2 million roundabout
Editor, The Times:
Re: Ministry Tests Roundabout Design for Oversized Loads
I must say I could not believe my eyes when I read page A-11 of The Times’ Jan. 24 issue. Let’s just look at what was released by MOTI!
1) The article states, “Even the longest and biggest loads SHOULD (my capitals) be able to fit through a roundabout proposed for the corner of Highway 5 and the road to Wells Grey Park;”
2) “A photo from MOTI shows a 14-axle dual lane loader heavy haul vehicle. A computer simulation shows that even such an extraordinary load SHOULD (my capitals) be able to negotiate the roundabout proposed for Highway 5 in Clearwater;” and
3) “A computer simulation indicates that a 60-m long 14-axle dual lane loader heavy haul vehicle SHOULD (my capitals) be able to negotiate the proposed roundabout.”
It is my opinion that when over $2 million are being wasted on this intersection, SHOULD is definitely not acceptable! Is this their idea of change? If it weren’t for lots of letters to the editor and a petition from local members of the B.C. Trucking Association, the original boondoggle would have been shoved down our throats.
Then in a year’s time, a two gazillion dollar cost plus contract could be negotiated to clean up the mess.
Page A-9 has a picture of hydro poles being relocated from the highway’s right of way. A ministry spokesperson said, “This work would be required regardless of the final re-configuration of the intersection.” That is not true; it is just another needless cost.
When the Open House is held, I don’t want to hear the same old rhetoric like “Studies have shown that roundabouts have 35 per cent fewer crashes, 90 per cent fewer vehicle fatalities and 76 per cent fewer vehicle-related injuries” (from MOTI, April 2012).
The intersection of Highway 5 and the Wells Gray road has its own statistics. That’s what people want to know. How many fatalities and pedestrian/vehicle accidents have happened at that intersection? And when? If you don’t have that information, or if the information you have doesn’t warrant changing the intersection, then why waste the money?
It is common knowledge that Canadians follow like sheep. If you are going to fleece the taxpayers, at least put the money to good use, not just pull the wool over our eyes!
Jim Lamberton
The Rambling Man
Clearwater, B.C.
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