After much frustration and concern from Hope residents, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure says they are taking action to make the intersection by Sixth Avenue and Old Hope-Princeton road safer.
In an email to the Hope Standard, the Ministry of Transporation and Infrastructure confirmed they are aware of the safety concerns regarding the crossing at Sixth Avenue and Old Hope-Princeton Road, and are working to fix the problem.
“The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will be moving forward with work to improve safety at 6th Avenue and Old Hope-Princeton Road,” says a media contact for the Ministry of Transportation. “The intersection will be upgraded to include signals. Details, including project timelines, will be announced once the design is finalized later this year.”
READ MORE: Local wonders why there’s still no traffic control measures at 6 Ave/Old Hope Princeton Way
The confirmation comes a week after facebook user Justin Scherle posted in the Hope BC Bulletin Board facebook group about an email he received from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure regarding his complaint about the crossing. In the email, the Ministry says they are aware of the safety concerns regarding the area and have secured funding to construct a new intersection.
The intersection by 6th Avenue and Old Hope-Princeton Road has been a source of concern for the community for many years now. Many have complained about near accidents with cars, pedestrians getting knocked, or cars colliding with one another. However, reports from ICBC claim that the intersection has the least risk concern compared to other areas in Hope.
In July 2020, Wayne Kurchaba got into an accident when a Range Rover failed to obey a stop sign and collided into his car. The road, which includes the crossing, is owned by the provincial government. On July 2018, the District of Hope requested a four-way traffic light for the area from the province but the request was shelved for the following year.
READ MORE: ICBC releases car crash statistics for Hope
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