Kamloops – North Thompson MLA, Peter Milobar, is at the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) convention from Sept. 18 – 22 in Vancouver and said he’s hoping to have some “meaningful” discussions with government and dialogue in partnership with representatives from the North Thompson while there that may result in some positive, long-term results for his constituents.
In an interview with Black Press on Sept. 17, Milobar spoke about several topics including Highway 5 safety, wildfire strategies and increased human resources for the RCMP in both Barriere and Clearwater.
Addressing highway safety along the Highway 5 corridor, Milobar said as MLAs head into this spring’s budget with the province, there needs to be significant dollars allocated for fiscal and operational treatments to the highways.
” … that whole section all the way to Alberta in terms of strategic passing lanes (need to be) added in or danger curves being straightened out. There’s also the operational side of the highway in terms of making sure there’s enough resources for not just proper enforcement but things like timely accident investigations and things of that nature so if there is a closure it’s as minimal as possible,” he said.
Milobar said he’s concerned about what happens when a serious or fatal accident occurs along the highway that has typically caused such lengthy highway closures in both directions for hours at a time, especially with winter coming, increased risk due to weather and the length of time people can safely wait in their vehicles.
“It’s disappointing, I’ve raised improvements needed to that corridor since I got elected back in 2017 and you know the government’s response has been ‘we need to study the corridor, we’re looking at things’ … I’m hopeful that this might be the year with the budget they might identify some funds. I’ll certainly be trying to remind the minister and the delegates from up in the North Thompson will be reminding the government at every chance they get to do the same as well during UBCM and beyond.”
Milobar explained the provincial budget gets blocked in around December of each year for the February presentation and that timing is good now to make that final reminder “pitch” to the powers that be for “money invested into this critical transportation corridor” not just for the movement of goods and people, but also for the safe movement of goods and people.
“Last I heard the road hasn’t changed and it’s been studied over and over again. Everyone knows. The ministry knows, the locals know where the bad corners are. Where are the reasonable areas that could easily accommodate a second lane of travel in either direction to provide those safe passing opportunities.”
In reference to the Darfield ‘jumps’ where another fatal and tragic crash happened this past May, he acknowledges the need for some geotechnical assessment to be conducted that should result in a proper design to fix that dangerous section of road permanently.
“Let’s get the money designated in the budget and let’s get it fixed.”
Milobar observes that the last actual work done along Highway 5 in the North Thompson were the Darfield passing lanes. He gives the example of adding one passing lane each year for the past seven years and what a difference that could’ve made towards making the highway safer for regular drivers and the more efficient movement of goods.
The other concerns the Kamloops-North Thompson MLA has involves the critical need to increase the number of RCMP in both Barriere and Clearwater.
When talking about this year’s wildfires and future strategic planning, Milobar doesn’t mince words.
“We’ve had how many tasks forces? How many opinions after each wildfire season. People want action, certainly in B.C. United we’ve heard that loud and clear. I think you’ll see us come out with much more detailed proposals and how we will work with locals and about wildfire issues next week when we are attending UBCM. The time for constant reports that keep saying the same basic things is over. We need some meaningful action and some meaningful changes to what is happening out there.”
He gives the example of the Wells Gray Park fire this year and other areas where fires are just being left to burn.
“It’s not good enough to have fires that start in July or August and say we will just ‘monitor’ them and hope winter comes soon enough to help put things out. That’s not a solution.”