The Skeena — Queen Charlotte Regional District (SQCRD) wants the government to do more to ensure driving between Prince Rupert and Terrace is safe this winter.
The SQCRD had Lori Wiedeman, Skeena District Manager for the Ministry of Transportation, come to its meeting in Masset in June to discuss a number of concerns. One of the board's concerns was the state of Highway 16 during the winter, with the board feeling there is a clear line between the areas serviced by two maintenance contractors, O'Brien Road and Bridge Maintenance and Nechako Northcoast Construction. The regional district's concerns laid with Nechako Northcoast Construction, which is responsible for maintaining the highway from Kasiks to Terrace.
"I'm curious what that contract actually looks like. Usually [contracts] are fairly standardized in terms of requirements, so I'd be curious to see if there is any differentiation and if not then why there's such a differentiation in service," Des Nobles, representative of Dodge Cove, said.
Wiedeman responded to concerns, stating "the maintenance contractors will contact each other if they notice a need in the other service area", and the ministry would discuss maintenance strategies with contractors before the winter season.
However, board members felt the issue isn't being properly addressed by the ministry and is an ongoing concern with the winter months approaching. The regional district will be sending the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure another letter on the subject, and will also try to set up a meeting with the ministry at the UBCM.
The District of Port Edward raised its concerns with Nechako Northcoast Construction's winter maintenance to the Ministry of Transportation, and to the premier in January of 2012. Port Edward plans to bring the topic to the UBCM this year.
"It's big on our priority list to get that highway up to standard," Dan Franzen, Port Edward's representative, said during the meeting.
Nechako Northcoast said they had not received any complaints from the regional district, but encouraged them to contatct the company directly with concerns.