Editor:
Re: “Corridor review not ‘as positive’ as some may hope, says Simons,” Feb. 28.
Our family has lived at two different locations on Highway 101 for a period of almost 30 years. During that time we have experienced our dog being killed on the highway, a helicopter landing on our large field to pick up a person injured in an accident, and last week a neighbour’s lovely black lab being killed outside our driveway.
Just last night as I carefully pulled out of our drive at dusk I was almost involved in a three-car accident that was only averted because two cars pulled off quickly to the side of the road.
Years ago, when our son was going to purchase his first car, we insisted that he get an automatic since if he had a shift car and, as a new and inexperienced driver, he stalled, he could be crushed by a huge logging truck hurtling around the corner at high speed, as is common.
Ours is but one family’s experience on this old, out-of-date road that was designed for much slower and less frequent travel. These experiences do not include the litany of other common concerns such as missed appointments, missed ferries, missed events, lateness for school and recreation, other dangers, and frustration and anger.
I would wager that the stretch of “highway” (a misnomer if there ever was one) between Gibsons and Sechelt is unique in the number of residential entrances and exits for such a length of road in our province.
The recent statement by Nicholas Simons, our MLA, that our roadway is not as dangerous as some would conclude is incredulous. I would challenge Mr. Simons to sit in our driveway and try to get out without being concerned about his safety.
What is needed is a new state-of-the-art highway above the residential area that includes environmental advances in construction that are commonplace in Europe and conversion of the current highway to a local road for community purposes. The kind of Band-Aid compromises that Simons is offering are not feasible and will do little to resolve these serious issues.
Please, let’s have a much closer look at the real transportation needs of the Lower Sunshine Coast.
Garfield Pennington, Roberts Creek
