Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Working group to look at road closures

Byelection all-candidates meeting set for Oct. 16
news_whistler3-1-fffe1392b80569a2
even flow The Resort Municipality of Whistler is forming a working group to sort through recommendations around shortening highway closure times. file photo

After receiving a report in June on protocols for road closures on the Sea to Sky Highway, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is forming a working group to act on some of the recommendations.

The goal is to have fewer unplanned road closures and a reduction in the average duration of such closures.

The working group will be made up of representatives from the RMOW, District of Squamish, Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, Whistler RCMP, Lower Mainland Traffic Services, the Ministry of Transportation, ICBC, Miller Capilano, Mainroad contracting, ECOMM and the Regional Transportation Management Centre.

Some of the recommendations the group will look at include installing high-visibility mileage markers, additional CCTV cameras at spots where the highway is frequently closed, working with the RCMP to do regular vehicle and tire inspections, constructing additional vehicle turn around locations and median barriers in certain spots, establishing performance measures similar to other jurisdictions, i.e. at least one lane open within 90 minutes, locating specialized services on the North Shore or the Sea to Sky corridor and focusing highway patrols on those areas that have a higher frequency of long duration, unplanned road closures.

To implement the majority of the recommendations, the RMOW will need buy in from its partners.

"It's not something that we can just go tomorrow and make happen on behalf of the RMOW," said manager of protective services Shannon Story in a presentation to council on Oct. 3.

"Because of this, the next steps are the creation of a working group, to prioritize the recommendations, get all of the appropriate bodies in one room, assign time frames and then to action and implement and report back to council."

ALL-CANDIDATES MEETING SET FOR OCT. 16

Pique Newsmagazine, the Whistler Question and the Whistler Off Road Cycling Association are teaming up to host an all-candidates meeting on Monday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. at Whistler Secondary School.

Whistlerites will get a chance to meet the seven candidates for the Oct. 28 byelection in a speed-dating format.

The candidates, in alphabetical order by last name, are: Steve Andrews, Kalee Eder, Cathy Jewett, Janice Lloyd, Alon Rimon, Kate Roddick and Dawn Titus.

Profiles of the candidates can be found at www.piquenewsmagazine.com.

Advance voting will be available in person on Wednesday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, Oct. 21 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voting will be open on Oct. 28 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (polling station details will be confirmed in the coming weeks at www.whistler.ca/election).

Mail-in ballots are available for those with physical disabilities, injuries or illnesses, as well as for those expecting to be absent on all other voting days.