亚洲天堂 Lake resident Ian Carnie has successfully campaigned for enhancing safety measures around the newly constructed Richmond Loop, following concerns about safety hazards associated with a steep drop-off at the project site. 

Carnie claimed the drop-off is unprotected and poses a safety issue, especially under severe weather conditions. He called on authorities to install extra guardrails earlier in October. 

Carnie鈥檚 advocacy began when he first raised his concerns with Dale Kerr, Director of Public Works at the Village office, who directed him to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI). Initial responses from MOTI led him back to the Village, citing adherence to the approved construction plan. 

Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake Chief Administrative Officer Sheryl Worthing stated that the guardrails were installed as part of the Richmond Loop/Hwy 16 Intersection Improvement Project, designed according to MoT&I specifications. Worthing also said the Village has no authority to make changes to the engineered specifications and that it would be up to MOTI to install additional guardrails if warranted. 

鈥淏ased on current design guidelines, the extension of roadside barriers is not warranted at the location east of Richmond Loop,鈥� a MOTI spokesperson told Lakes District 亚洲天堂 in an email statement. Warrants are measured using traffic volumes, width of road, road grade, height of fill and slope of the embankment, MOTI said. 

Carnie then reached out to MOTI鈥檚 Bulkley-Stikine District, operations manager Kassidy Jones and highlighted the inadequacies of the existing safety measures, including the ineffective placement of traffic pylons that would be removed upon project completion, leaving the hazard unmarked. 

Carnie noted that while the guardrail placement follows the approved construction plan, this has left significant hazards unaddressed. He requested that the guardrail be moved closer to the traffic line and extended to better safeguard drivers before winter weather exacerbates the risks. 

Despite MOTI stating that an engineering inspection would be needed for any changes, Carnie urged for temporary measures to be authorized quickly to prevent potential accidents. 

He requested that the guardrail be re-positioned closer to the traffic line for improved safety. 

On Oct. 30, Jones told Carnie they had a walk-through of the project which included the District Engineer as well as the project鈥檚 engineer of record. Other attendees included the Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake, their project manager, and construction company along with LDM representatives. Jones told Carmie his concerns regarding the guardrail were presented at that time. 

鈥淎s we discussed previously, the current barrier placement matches the engineered design and meets the warrants for roadside barrier on the highway,鈥� Jones told Carnie in an email he shared with Lakes District 亚洲天堂.

The walkthrough identified a few outstanding items the contractor needs to address, including line painting and shoulder gravelling at the location, she said. 

Once completed, Jones said they will review again and consider what changes might be made. 

At this time the District will monitor the site along with Lakes District Maintenance for any safety issues, Jones鈥� further said in her email.