Transportation issues and concerns regarding Highway 101 were highlighted in Victoria Oct. 31.
Powell River - Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons met with Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon -a meeting Simons has had in the works since July.
Simons said the "meeting was positive. Not exactly fruitful, but positive," when Coast Reporter spoke to him Wednesday."I give him credit for meeting with me and discussing the issues," Simons said. "He listened, which is a good starting point. I think the relationship I have now with the minister is better. He knows I'll be fighting for the needs of the constituents I represent."
Simons said they talked about safety on Highway 101, the need for a bypass, intersection safety, highway maintenance and bicycle network initiatives.
"Overall, he said the ministry is not looking at a bypass in the short term," Simons said. "I was not particularly happy about that because talk of a bypass has been in the works for a long time. We may not see it now during the winter months, but during the summer, there is lots of traffic. I got the sense from him that we have to make do with what we have, for now at least.
"But I think he did recognize there are things that can be done in the short term, such as better signage in high accident areas."
Simons also presented Falcon with a petition that was started in July following the highway accident involving mountain bikers Sean Stanhope and Matt Cottrell. Simons also mentioned the fatal accident a week later that claimed the lives of Elphinstone Secondary students Trina Borley and Hanna Anderson.
"Kevin was well aware of both incidents and noted the community's concerns," Simons added. "He's been getting letters from this community as well. He's travelled this highway and is an avid biker, so I think he knows where we are coming from. It was a good exchange of information. He is aware, but unfortunately awareness doesn't mean immediate action. I think I and others in the community have to continue to lobby and put forward proposals to ask for funds and hopefully get some improvements to the highway."
