Community members in a small town in British Columbia are urging for modifications to an intersection following several near misses and accidents occurring near three schools. Approximately 1,100 students gather at the junction of Highway 101 and School Road in Gibsons daily, attending Gibsons Elementary, Elphinstone Secondary School, and the Sunshine Coast Alternative School.
On October 14, a logging truck was caught on camera making a left turn at the intersection and colliding with the sidewalk. A similar incident occurred three years ago at the same spot, prompting parents to demand changes to the highway from the province.
Concerns are raised due to the challenging sightline for oncoming traffic caused by the steep incline on Highway 101. The area is heavily frequented by logging trucks, transport trucks, pedestrians, and vehicles, being in proximity to the B.C. Ferries Langdale Terminal. Moreover, the highway serves as a crucial industrial and commercial access route for the Sunshine Coast, catering to neighboring communities.
Brett Marchant, who escorts his son to Gibsons Elementary, expressed distress over the intersection’s dangers, emphasizing the urgent need for alterations. Marchant has contacted the Town of Gibsons and the province to voice his worries, believing insufficient action is being taken to address the issue.
Gibsons Mayor Silas White acknowledged the long-standing problem at the intersection, which falls under the provincial Ministry of Transportation’s jurisdiction. While improvements were previously made over a decade ago to enhance sightlines and pedestrian crossing technology, White stressed the necessity for further enhancements to mitigate the “havoc of cars” on the steep hill.
The Ministry of Transportation acknowledged the concerns surrounding the intersection and is presently reviewing Highway 101 to enhance safety, promote active transportation, and accommodate crosswalks and speed limit signage in the area. The current speed limit at the intersection is 50 kilometers per hour.
The school board has been advocating for changes for more than ten years. A crossing guard has been employed at the intersection, and safe school routes have been outlined on the school board’s website. However, the school board chair is pushing for expedited transformations and seeks clarity on the implementation timeline for these improvements.
Mayor White mentioned that the Ministry has proposed internal solutions through its engineering department and anticipates their implementation in the near future.