At the peak of any work day, as many as 60 gravel trucks can rumble down Kettle Valley Road in Hope, per hour.
That’s more than the rural residential area used to see in an entire day, even with an active gravel pit sharing the road.
But times have changed, and B.C.’s need for gravel has become urgent. Much of what is coming out of the Hope-area pit is destined for the Coquihalla Highway repairs from the November 2021 flooding disaster. Still, residents there are worried that the increased volume of truck traffic is also increasing the potential for a serious, even deadly, accident.
And then there’s the dust that permeates the air, and even works its way into nearby homes.
Residents in the area have been pleading with all levels of government to create an alternate access road that would allow trucks to bypass the residential area, where there are no sidewalks for safety.
But when they went digging into legislation and rights, they found that the mining operations have few to be accountable to. Hope Mayor Peter Robb said that while he understands the frustrations, the pit in question, Hope Ready Mix, operates under a provincial mining permit.
So now, the residents have approached the media to shine a light on the situation.
Bryon and Linda Mageau say they and about 30 of their neighbours have been trying to find someone who can address the issue, to no avail.
“The issues of excessive gravel trucks travelling on a residential street among other related matters, was brought to the attention of our local municipal representatives as well as a variety of other government agencies and authorities, seeking advice and guidance,” Bryon said. “Thirty-one residents near the gravel pit agreed with a proposal asking municipal representatives for assistance in the pursuit of an alternate entry/exit to the gravel pit.”
Senior staff at the district were unable to get a resolution, he said. Municipalities have no say in whether aggregate mining vehicles can use the roadways or not. Everything rests with the top levels of the provincial government, but would require legislative changes to alleviate the “daily nuisance” of commercial drivers on residential roads — even when those residents are telling everyone that they feel unsafe.
The Mageaus and their neighbours know the issue is not the truck drivers themselves; they’re just doing their jobs, Bryon said. Robb said he and senior staff have worked closely with the owner of the pit and residents to keep the street as clean and safe as possible. He suggests anyone who sees a safety issue should take concerns to the RCMP.
“Of major concern is the matter of safety,” Mageau said. “There has been some tragic events that has resulted in several B.C. deaths as well as injuries, wherein commercial sized trucks were involved and most recently two bicyclists’ accidents in the Vancouver area, that also resulted in a death.”
He believes Kettle Valley Road (south) has a “very high-risk possibility for a similar tragedy” due to the high volume of commercial trucks mixed with pedestrians, including many children, visitors to the area and cars.
“Recently it was very surprising to learn that numerous Hope homeowners also responded on social media with their concerns about truck traffic and the impacts this was having on them, the close calls for accidents and many of the comments describing the sand and debris on Kawkawa Lake Road,” he added.
He knows aggregate gravel is an essential commodity, especially this year as the province rebuilds its roads and dikes. The gravel pit operation also is an important business to the community and the province, he adds.
But he believes a compromise is needed and is hoping someone will hear him out so industry and residents can “live in harmony.”
While attempts to discuss the issue have failed, the neighbourhood is hopeful that somehow they can move forward the idea of creating that alternate route that would improve safety for all.
And soon.
“Once more, on a province-wide basis there is every potential the failure of the province or other authorities to act may end in some type of tragic event, within the Hope area or potentially in other similar locations in the province,” he said.
@CHWKcommunity
jessica.peters@abbynews.com
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