The following is a letter sent to Premier Brad Wall and Highways and Infrastructure manager and spokesman Doug Wakabayashi last week by a member of the Time to Twin Highway 39 and 6 committee on April 27. We print it with permission of the author. Ìý
Ìý
Gentlemen:Ìý
Today I heard that Highway 47 north and the truck route bypass intersection has suffered its first fatality.Ìý
This is the fourth accident at this intersection since last November when the bypass opened.Ìý
I would like to remind Mr. Wakabayashi of my comments to him in regard to this intersection, many months ago. I implored him to not allow the Ministry of Highways to put stop signs at the intersection. I said, at the least, there needed to be traffic light so that it could be a controlled intersection. I pleaded with him to look at the traffic counts and I said that stop signs were not appropriate.Ìý
I know Estevan City Council said the same thing.Ìý
And here we are, only five months later and there have been four accidents at that intersection. We are sickened by the fact that now we have our first fatality. But what about the pain and suffering of those other accident victims?Ìý
Why is the Ministry of Highways always looking for the cheapest way out when looking for a traffic solution in this area?Ìý
The proper and safest solution was an overpass at this intersection. There was the perfect opportunity to do the correct thing in the first place and not just go for the cheapest solution.Ìý
Putting up traffic lights was the second reasonable solution.Ìý
Our Time to Twin Highways 39 and 6 committee have always had a mandate regarding safety on the highways within our area. We have remained quiet for the past 18 months or so because we have been waiting and watching to see when your commitment to twin these highways will begin.Ìý
We know the economy is suffering. We also know the cost of twinning these highways will increase as the price of oil increases.Ìý
Therefore Premier Wall and Mr. Wakabayashi, it is time to deal with safety issues in this area. We pay taxes, too.Ìý
Deal with the safety at the truck bypass intersection on Highway 47 north of Estevan.Ìý
Deal with safety on Highways 39 and 6 by getting the twinning project on the go.Ìý
Premier Wall, in your meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau today, let him know the twinning project is ready to start and that federal infrastructure funds are needed. It is an international truck route and these highways are feeding Saskatchewan’s busiest border crossing.Ìý
Sincerely,
Marge Young
Co-chair Time to Twin Highways 39 and 6.
