The highway is a constant in our lives. There is no avoiding it. Each of us knows someone who is driving, riding or crossing the highway at any given moment of the day. We have an intimate relationship with the highway. And this ubiquitous relationship is never more felt in our lives than when tragedies strike like the one of Jan. 2 that took the lives of two family men - two members of our community.
This highway defines us far more than it should.
When I first moved to Squamish 25 plus years ago, the highway was colloquially known as the “killer” highway.
Prior to the improvement project that was completed just before the Olympics, the highway had a fatality rate more than twice the provincial average. And while the improvements to the highway have significantly reduced accident and fatality rates by about a third, it still profoundly affects us all when tragedy strikes, and is in need of constant improvement and attention.
Last week the mayors from Lions Bay to Pemberton as well as the chair of the Regional District convened in Squamish to discuss highway safety and public transit, and how we could advocate collectively and strategically with the provincial government.
We discussed public transit and how we can all help to move this process forward more expeditiously with the province, as well issues around some relatively “quick” safety fixes.
For example: more concrete no-post barriers where possible; more visible and durable line painting; reflectors and reflective plowing poles where there are no concrete barriers; raised reflectors on no-posts so they don’t get covered in snow; snow plow blades that work better with cat’s eye reflectors; more consistent maintenance, road plowing and cleaning along the entirety of the highway; more lighting in problem areas; better signage to let people know when passing lanes are coming up; and more relevant messaging on dynamic sign boards with time stamps.
And one intriguing idea out of Lions Bay: consider an Average Speed Over Distance (ASOD) pilot project in Lions Bay. ASOD technology, adopted around the world with amazing success at reducing speeds and accident rates, evaluates a vehicle’s average speed over a distance of particular safety concern, and determines if a vehicle has been speeding over that distance.
Our collective message: we must improve the standard of highways in BC and here’s a start to how we might do it on the Sea to Sky to ensure that our collective safety is the primary focus.
The highway through Sea to Sky should connect us, but not define us.
And the memories of the people who have lost their lives on this highway should continue to fuel our constant attention and action.
