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Canfor truckers oppose proposed roundabout

Canfor-Vavenby truckers are unanimously opposed to a roundabout proposed for the intersection of Highway 5 and the road to Wells Gray Park

The logging truck drivers who deliver to Canfor-Vavenby are unanimously opposed to a roundabout proposed for the intersection of Highway 5 and the road to Wells Gray Park.

That was the news brought to District of Clearwater council last Tuesday by Ed Crombie, owner of five trucks.

"We had a meeting of the Canfor truckers and we are unanimously opposed to the roundabout," Crombie said. "We don't feel that we've had an opportunity to express our opinions."

Crombie said the truckers feel some other alternative should be used for the intersection.

"Use what's simplest, most economical, and greenest," he said. "Use what works."

The truck owner pointed out that, while local truckers are highly skilled, they have no training in how to use a roundabout.

Logging trucks would be going into the circle with highway transports and smaller vehicles driven by drivers who also have no training or experience.

There are other ways to slow traffic, he felt. He gave as an example the flashing amber lights at intersections on the highway in Kamloops that signal a red light ahead.

He conceded that trucks sometimes get stuck going up the hill by Wells Gray Inn during winter, but the stoplight would be far enough away from the hill not to be a problem.

A stop light that only showed red when there is traffic waiting to cross would allow trucks to drive right through at night or other quiet times, he pointed out.

"There are a lot of reasons why this shouldn't happen," Crombie said. "It needs to be looked at a lot more."