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District responding to Panorama Drive concerns
Panorama Drive has been as winding and sometimes confusing an issue facing various District of Invermere councils over the years as it is actually a winding and sometimes confusing road to drive, especially for visitors.
Once a provincial highways responsibility, Panorama Drive, which winds through Athalmer, became a district problem about 10 years ago.
From the sharp S bend, crumbling shoulders, dust, poor drainage and sight lines to the often too-fast speeds being reached by drivers on the road that handles a large volume of traffic passing through Invermere, Panorama Drive has proven to be a challenge.
On July 12, District of Invermere council took a small step toward trying to resolve problems with the road, by unanimously agreeing to re-direct $10,288 to re-establish drainage courses for managing storm water and to gravel and compact the shoulders along the road.
The move was a reaction to concerns expressed to the district by some Panorama Drive residents.
In addition, council agreed to spend a further $4,000 on establishing the right-of-way on the road from 7th Avenue to Borden Street. The survey will be handled by Focus Corp.
District chief administrative officer Chris Prosser explained there is “uncertainty” at this time as to the exact right-of-way on that section of Panorama Drive.
“When we met with the group of people from Panorama Drive, it was surprising how they are being impacted,” stated Coun. Bob Campsall. He added that not knowing where property lines are “is a little bit scary.”
Mayor Gerry Taft said he hopes the “Band-aid relief” being applied to the roadway will lead to something more long term in the near future.
“Hopefully this is a beginning step,” he said.
While 7th Avenue to Borden St. requires the most attention, Coun. Ray Brydon pointed out the section of road running from the Toby Creek Bridge to the start of the S bend at Borden also needs attention, especially with enforcing speeds.
“There are some fast speeds along that area. It’s an unsafe road where the S turn is, with roads coming into it and so forth,” he said.
Brydon suggested more signage be installed to reinforce the speed limit and the district should ask the RCMP to enforce that speed limit along there more often.
Coun. Al Miller suggested the district conduct another traffic count along the road “at busier times. It will take huge dollars to do something proper,” he said, adding the province would have to provide some financial help to make that happen.
Ian Cobb/e-KNOW
