Kamloops MLAs Todd Stone and Peter Milobar say a BC United government will spend at least $200-million on infrastructure and safety upgrades on Highway 5 in the North Thompson.

Speaking on NL Newsday, Stone – who is currently the MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson but running for re-election in the newly re-drawn Kamloops-North Thompson riding – says the plan includes adding three new passing lanes, at least one new full-amenity rest stop, and a Commercial Vehicle Inspection Station near Clearwater.

He also says an elected BC United government will establish multiple highway pull-outs through the corridor, while also bringing in other safety improvements like roadside barriers, enhanced signs, wider corners in areas like Fishtrap Canyon, and better road markers on other sharp corners.

“Folks up in Barriere and Clearwater and even north of Barriere, everyone knows that volumes are up dramatically on Highway 5,” Stone said. “Commercial truck traffic is up in a big way, and unfortunately collisions are also up, and there have been far too many fatalities.”

“We want to amplify the voices of the mayors and the councillors and the chiefs and others through this corridor.”

Stone says a BC United government will increase year-round enforcement and emergency response on Highway 5 between Kamloops and Valemount, saying that would include filling long standing vacancies to the BC Highway Patrol teams in Barriere and Clearwater.

“Over the past seven years Peter Milobar as the [Kamloops-North Thompson] MLA [who will be running in Kamloops-Centre] has been pressing the government every chance he gets but unfortunately the answers are never positive,” Stone said.

“There is always a commitment to a lot of examination and talking and taking a look at things but we haven’t seen significant investment.”

BC United is also pledging to review and overhaul the funding model for volunteer fire departments and rural road rescue teams north of Kamloops.

“The provincial election is about putting your ideas and your priorities on the table,” Stone added.

“We’re saying one of our top priorities in this region is going to be getting back to property investing in our major highway corridors, and its Highway 5’s turn.”

The governing BC NDP as well as the BC Conservatives and BC Greens have yet to name their candidates in the two Kamloops ridings.

The next provincial election in B.C. is scheduled to be held on or before October 19, 2024.

Details of BC United’s commitment to the Highway 5 corridor in the North Thompson are below:

Improve infrastructure and safety for the travelling public on Highway 5:

• Add three new passing lanes. While the last passing lane was added to Highway 5 by the former BC United (BC Liberal) government in 2017, the current NDP government has not added a single new passing lane to Highway 5 in the entire seven years since.
• Implement safety improvements like roadside barriers, enhanced signage, better markers for sharp corners, and widening corners for improved sight lines, especially in areas like Fishtrap Canyon.
• Construct at least one new full-amenity rest stop and multiple pull-outs for the benefit of residents and truckers.

Enhance trucking safety on Highway 5:

• Establish a Commercial Vehicle Inspection Station near Clearwater, B.C., mirroring the successful Red Rock Inspection Station on Highway 97 south of Prince George. This investment will facilitate 24/7 commercial vehicle safety inspections and remote weighing for compliance at highway speeds.
• Review the viability of installing dash cams and speed limiters in commercial trucks using critical highway corridors such as Highway 5.
• Tighten B.C.’s long-haul truck driver training and licensing requirements, and urgently collaborate with the federal government and other provinces to close loopholes allowing companies to operate in B.C. despite license suspensions.

Upgrade year-round enforcement and emergency response on Highway 5:

• The full-time employment associated with the new commercial vehicle inspection station near Clearwater, B.C. will include a minimum of 4 CVSE officers based out of this station.
• Fill longstanding vacancies to restore the RCMP’s highway patrol to its historical level of four FTEs based in Barriere and Clearwater.
• Review and overhaul the funding model for volunteer fire departments and rural road rescue teams providing crucial support in out-of-jurisdiction motor vehicle accidents where specialized equipment and skills – such as vehicle extrication, rope rescue, and other rescue services – are required.