Province should allow public input into changes
at Cathedral Grove.
Re: "Left turns targeted in Pat Bay changes,"
March 28
The Highways Ministry is proposing to eliminate
some left turns to increase safety because they, "create
more serious problems than right turns."
Why then, does this same ministry propose to
create two left turns at the access road to a new parking lot
in an 80 km/h zone on Highway 4 in Cathedral Grove?
We are told that the $2-million parking lot
will address safety issues at the existing highway pullouts
where left turns are already illegal and speed restricted to
60.
Cathedral Grove has the only highway to Port
Alberni and Pacific Rim Park. About $3.4 million is already
being spent straightening bends that will increase speed from
40 to 50 at the west end of the Grove. Loaded trucks travelling
at 80 in the Grove and visitors turning left create a new and
very dangerous situation.
I'm glad that the Highways Ministry is offering
an open house for the public to voice concerns about the Pat
Bay changes. Perhaps the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection
will change its mind and offer the public the same opportunity
to discuss the latest parking lot plans for Cathedral Grove.
Richard Dean,
French Creek.
© Copyright 2004 Times Colonist (Victoria)
