What should the highways travelling public know about the East Kootenay?

The provincial government has unveiled its plan to rejuvenate and add to the Stop of Interest signs located on highways across British Columbia, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone announced last week.

“Our province is rich with history and these heritage signs show our commitment to preserving the culture from the past, celebrating the communities of today and inspiring pride for the future in British Columbians,” Stone said. “We’re launching a public engagement period today so people can send us their suggestions for the locations and content for new signs, helping to mark special places in B.C.’s history.”

B.C.’s Stop of Interest signs were first planted in 1958 to commemorate the Colony of B.C.’s centenary and recognize significant historical places, people and events. An inventory of the province’s existing signs was taken in fall 2015, with 139 signs catalogued, and 75% requiring repairs, reinstallation and, in some cases, replacement because the content and language is out of date.

In addition to replacing missing and outdated signs, the province is adding up to 75 additional Stop of Interest signs. British Columbians are invited to submit ideas for where new signs could be located and what interesting stories could be told to people travelling B.C.’s highways.

“The new Stop of Interest signs will give the traveling public a glimpse of the province’s beauty and encourage them to explore the many authentic experiences B.C. has to offer,” said Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour Shirley Bond. “We wanted the public to help us create signage that would evoke excitement and cement our position that B.C. is a premier tourism destination and a great place to do business.”

“Today’s travellers place a high value on experiences. They want to make emotional connections and the best way to do that is to know the stories behind the place you’re visiting,” said Paul Nursey, president and CEO of Tourism Victoria. “Ensuring that interpretative signage is well maintained and designed for a modern audience will help visitors better understand the stories of the destination and entice them to get out and explore B.C.”

The public engagement period is open through Jan. 31, 2017. Submissions will be evaluated based on criteria including the impact the place, person or event has had on the lives of British Columbians. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will begin installing new Stop of Interest signs in late spring/early summer 2017.

Provide your suggestion for a new Stop of Interest sign HERE.

Locations of existing Stops of Interest

Lead image: Stop of Interest sign noting Kootenay Steamboats, located east of Cranbrook along Highway 3/93. e-KNOW file images

e-KNOW

Article Share