I too would like to pass along my thoughts on the proposed traffic circle, as I am opposed to it.
We taxpayers just spent a significant amount of tax dollars to install a pedestrian operated crosswalk at that location on the highway. I have not heard any opposition to it. So why do we want to now take it out?
The location within the valley for the highest level of all types of accidents, e.g. pedestrian, vehicle, bikes, etc., is the Wells Gray Hotel intersection. Various levels of government spend millions promoting safety, so why not fix our biggest safety problem with the traffic circle dollars as a base to finance the work?
As far as I know, there are no traffic circles between Vancouver and Halifax on this particular highway, but there are many traffic lights, which work just fine.
It has additionally been proposed by some to install billboards within the circle to promote Wells Gray Park. To me this seems like it would severely impair driver vision and they should be located as regular billboards along the highway.
If you troll through the Internet, you can find many locations in many countries where these circles have been taken out from highway locations. Perhaps our government should at least pause to find out why this is occurring. There are some located in residential neighborhoods, and since traffic is generally slower in those locations, they are perhaps okay there, as they seem to provide a place for municipal governments to plant flowers, etc.
I have NOT talked to anyone outside of government who is in favor of these circles - perhaps there should be a referendum on it.
I have talked to truckers from large companies who say their operation will switch to hauling east from Kamloops or north from Cache Creek to avoid a traffic circle. That is quite a loss of revenue in terms of fuel, meals, accommodation, etc. Is that something we want?
Chuck Emery
Clearwater, B.C.