Lyonel Doherty
Times-Chronicle
A number of motorists don’t want the Town of Oliver to close a small section of Station Street near Lion’s Park.
In correspondence with the town, several residents have expressed opposition to closing the road from Veteran’s Avenue to Highway 97.
Town staff have recommended the town proceed with Road Closure Bylaw 1399, which is slated for adoption at the Feb. 8 meeting.
Corporate Officer Diane Vaykovich previously reported that the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure supports the closure, citing safety concerns of vehicles entering Highway 97 at that uncontrolled intersection.
She added the ministry recommends eliminating that slope when the town undertakes improvements to Station Street.
However, many motorists in Oliver utilize that strip of road to conveniently access the highway heading north.
One motorist who submitted a comment to the town said this road serves as a safer route to the highway for contracting and landscaping companies, in addition to farmers hauling heavy equipment.
“In my experience, it is often dangerous attempting to turn onto the highway off the side streets (Bank Avenue and Veterans Avenue),” wrote the individual, who works for a landscaping company.
Another motorist stated the roadway in question is a nice, alternate route to avoid congested traffic on Main Street downtown.
Other comments included:
“Why Station Street revitalization?” Why not Main Street revitalization? We are losing too many businesses on Main Street.”
“The town has not given a good valid reason for it (the closure) but we know there is some ulterior motive. Let’s find a way to get the Main Street fixed up to make it more attractive to encourage more business.”
The town will discuss the closure in more detail on Monday.
Inordinately simple solution. Just make Veteran’s Ave. One-way only, westbound from Station St. to Main St. Leaves lots of room for right turns with the full road width to use. Basically, little different from the present layout, with the exception of a couple of lost parking slots on Veteran’s. Simple solution, and cost would be for 3-4 signs. That’s it. And those who actually use Station St. would have little cause for complaint. Sight lines are actually much better from Veteran’s, and if traffic requires it, a light could be installed there in the future.
Seems any deliveries to Ace Hardware are from north to south. Then make right on Fairview. Northbound trailers on Station hsvevto cross Fairview which is even difficult in a car. They should go west up by Chevron and use thst yield to go north. Judt like the trucks from BC Fruits do. Using Veterans for trailers seems difficult at best. Most trailers likely come from Sawmill and could use right yield by A&W which already has a run-in yield lane.
Further to my comment, trailers going north on Station st is not good with restricted width by Food Bank, Oliver Eats, Ambulance Service and laundromat. Is Station St a good location for Ambulance Service?