Up front: Barry’s Garage closure marks end of an era in Cobble Hill page 3 Spotlight: Cowichan couple depending on The Big Decision page 5 For all the news of the Cowichan region as it happens, plus stories from around British Columbia, go to our website www.cowichannewsleader.com Your news leader since 1905
Friday, March 30, 2012
Decision Åoats derelict boat?
Malahat gets $8-million concrete makeover
Dominion: Authorities release ship to new owner, who plans to have it gone in the near future Krista Siefken
News Leader Pictorial
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In Äve sections: Province announces 5.4 kilometres of new concrete barriers Krista Siefken
News Leader Pictorial
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he province will spend $8 million adding 5.4 kilometres of extra concrete medians on the Malahat Drive. Transportation Minister Blair Lekstrom announced during a press conference Thursday that when construction is complete, more than 40 per cent of the ‘Hat will be separated with median barrier. Five sections of the corridor will receive the barriers, with construction work scheduled to start next month and ¿nish in the fall. Other safety improvements include intersection upgrades at Finlayson Arm Road, Shawnigan Lake Road and the Malahat village, plus additional enforcement pullout areas, an advanced weather advisory system, and improved lighting, signage and
Malahat volunteer Äre chief Rob Patterson speaks at announcement of improvements to Malahat drive Thursday. roadside delineation. The safety improvements were motivated by a community-driven effort to reduce crashes on the busy corridor, plus a safety review conducted by the ministry and engineer experts. “I want to thank all of those who have contributed to our review of safety on the Malahat, particularly those law enforcement and safety advocates who passionately and respectfully voiced their concerns,” Lekstrom said in a prepared statement.
“There is some give and take, but immediately following the median barrier placement, there is some passing lane as well, so I think it will work,” he added at Thursday’s press conference. “It’s really focused on safety.” Cowichanian Chelsey Dollman was one of the safety advocates who played a signi¿cant role in pushing for the improvements after she created a petition and Facebook group about the issue. Ironically, she was almost in a collision on the Malahat Thursday
What is planned: • 2 km barrier between Tunnel Hill and Aspen Road (road will also be widened) • 1.4 km barrier north of Finalyson Arm Road (northbound passing lane removed) • 1 km barrier south of Shawnigan Lake Road (road will also be widened) • 500 m barrier between Spencer Road and just north of the new Leigh Road overpass • 400 m barrier north of West Shore Parkway (road will also be widened) • installation of a flashing beacon and intersection lighting, plus construction of a northbound acceleration lane at Finlayson Arm Road • construction of a southbound acceleration lane at Shawnigan Lake Road • construction of new acceleration and deceleration lanes, and enhanced signage, at Malahat Village (where the Malahat Mountain Inn is located) • additional measures to prevent southbound access at Summit Lookout, Arbutus rest area and the Rock Cut view point • additional enforcement pullout areas, enhanced lighting, an advanced weather warnign system and improved signage along the entire corridor
Tom Fletcher
morning as she travelled to the press conference. “Someone had stopped dead in the fast-lane to turn left,” she said. She thanked Cowichan Valley MLA Bill Routley for supporting her campaign to improve safety on the Malahat, and praised Lekstrom for making Malahat safety a priority. “They’re starting at the end of April with the minimal construction, and then through June, July and August is when we’ll see the actual barriers go in, so everything should be done by this fall,” she said. “I’m really impressed with the speed they’ve put into this.” Malahat Volunteer Fire Department chief Rob Patterson agreed. “The infrastructure that’s going to be in place shortly this year is going to help the motoring public over the Malahat,” he said. “From a ¿rst responder’s standpoint, we see these crossovers far too often. It’s going to improve safety for each and every one of us. “I don’t have to worry about cars crossing as often as they have in the past in the areas where we have had these time and time again.” — with a ¿le from Tom Fletcher
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ob Van Riter ¿gures the only party that’ll ever be held for the Dominion — its goingaway party, of course — could happen sooner than expected. Maybe even just a couple of weeks from now. Despite initial indications the Rob Van Riter: Dominion would sailing soon remain squatting in Cowichan Bay until some $30,000 in fees were paid by the boat’s new owner, Van Riter said the Dominion was released to him on Monday. “They did say, however, that the bills will be following the boat, so I don’t know exactly how much they’ll charge me for everything, but I get the feeling they’re far more interested in having the boat leave than they are in charging me $30,000 for dockage and all the rest of it,” Van Riter told the News Leader Pictorial Wednesday morning. And now Cowichan Bay could be just days away from seeing a Dominion-free harbour. “I’m in contact with several tug companies now, and with any luck, possibly within the next couple of weeks, it’s gone,” Van Riter said. “Every day I’m working on trying to get some prices for towing the boat out. It’s possible I’ll tow it to the U.S. and just get it out of here, and then from there maybe get a cheaper tow to Mexico.”
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