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Ministry moves away from Dicken Road detour
The Ministry of Transportation and Transit Sept. 11 announced that it is moving away from the Dicken Road detour and is evaluating an alternative approach for the Hartley Creek Bridge Replacement Project on Highway 3 east of Fernie.
The decision on an on-highway detour has not been finalized, but project direction is expected in the coming weeks.
In response to the news, Regional District of East Kootenay Electoral Area A Director Thomas McDonald is praising the work of residents and the concerned citizen group for their tireless efforts in raising awareness about the safety concerns with the planned Dicken Road detour and the need for an alternate solution.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates the community’s concerns have been heard and are being taken into consideration,” said Director McDonald. “While I have been advocating with the ministry and other provincial officials since March, it is the residents who have been so passionate and clear about the significant safety and traffic concerns with the Dicken Road detour who deserve all the credit for making a new alternate route a potential reality.”
While an alternate detour is not certain and no final decision has been made, the ministry announced in a project update today that they are moving away from using Dicken Road as a detour and looking at an on-highway detour for the Hartley Creek Bridge Replacement Project.
“I want to thank the ministry, their project team and the consultants for recognizing the real concerns of residents in and around Dicken Road and for being willing to evaluate another option while still proceeding with this much-needed project,” added McDonald.
In March, McDonald sought and received support from the RDEK Board to formally request an alternative detour be considered given significant safety, traffic volume and community impacts of the Dicken Road detour on the small residential neighbourhood. A concerned citizen group was also established this spring and has tirelessly advocated for a different solution.
The ministry is expected to confirm its decision on the project direction in the coming weeks and will provide updates on its project page.
Ministry of Transportation and Transit photo
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