Transportation study identifies numerous issues with current use of Highway 5A between Merritt and Kamloops

KAMLOOPS — The results of an extensive transportation study on Highway 5A were released Thursday (Sept. 16). The study was commissioned by the Stump Lake Ranch to determine whether the amount of truck traffic coming through Highway 5A is appropriate for the road.

Residents who live along the road between Merritt and Kamloops have regularly cited safety issues and concerns around an increase in use by loaded semi-trucks and pushed for a formal report to be done to determine the extent of the problem.

According to the results, Highway 5A has a higher rate of total vehicle collisions compared to Highway 5 (based on the collision review of public ICBC collision data). Some of the other report findings point to road shoulders being very narrow for the level of truck traffic, the noise exceeding appropriate levels for nearby residences, along with a lack of space for cyclists or for buses to stop.

The study was prepared by Seero Engineering Consulting. Haytham Sadeq, the transportation planning and road safety engineer who authored the report, says the issues identified are expected to increase. Traffic from both trucks and passenger vehicles is expected to grow annually by 1.3 to 1.7 per cent.

“Considering the short-and long-term operation of the highway, the issues that we’ve identified are expected to increase with the increase of volumes.”

For residents who live along the old Merritt highway in the Stump Lake, Nicola Lake and Upper Nicola areas, the report simply confirmed what they have been saying to the province for years. Upper Nicola Chief Harvey McLeod says he’s concerned about the safety of residents and worries if the current situation continues, someone will get seriously hurt or lose their life.

“These are the concerns, these are the issues, these are the results to the concerns that we have,” said McLeod. “Let’s have a look at it, let’s stop and have a look at it, let’s listen to us because we will pay the price.”

Following the report, Upper Nicola band leadership will be meeting with Minister of Transportation Rob Fleming next week to push for a solution to the issues.