The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Board of Directors is asking the Ministry of Transportation and Transit to identify an alternative traffic management solution to the Dicken Road detour for Highway 3 traffic during the upcoming construction of the Hartley Creek Bridge this summer.

“Upon hearing from concerned residents that the Ministry plans to detour all Highway 3 traffic through Dicken Road, it became immediately apparent that in addition to the impacts on daily life in a rural residential neighbourhood, there are a number of significant safety concerns,” says Electoral Area A Director Thomas McDonald. “From safety, traffic volume, the lack of shoulders, school bus stops, cyclists, pedestrians, and the overall suitability of Dicken Road to handle highway traffic, resident concerns are completely valid.”

McDonald reached out to the Ministry directly to voice these concerns and asked the Board to support sending a formal letter requesting an alternative solution to the Dicken Road detour be considered. “I am grateful for the unanimous support of the Board and hope this, combined with the concerns being shared directly with the Ministry by residents, results in a different option being identified for this project,” adds McDonald.

The construction of the Hartley Creek Bridge is expected to begin in April and has a completion timeline of October.

“As a rural residential area, it is common to see families walking dogs, kids riding bikes, people commuting to work, and neighbours out for a walk on Dicken Road. In the summer over 5,000 vehicles a day travel Highway 3. It is understandable that residents are concerned about how routing that traffic through their neighbourhood could affect safety and many aspects of their lives. I hope the Ministry hears these concerns and finds a different path forward,” adds McDonald.

Decisions regarding provincial highways — including Highway 3 — and all roadways outside incorporated municipalities are made by the BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit. Local governments and elected officials do not have authority over the routing of traffic or the management of provincial highway construction projects.

Residents wishing to reach out to the Ministry can do so by phone at (250) 420-6550 or via email at SIRRMD.INFORMATION@GOV.BC.CA.