LOCAL NEWS: LOTS OF FUN: Aliya Bieber wins Fall Fair Ambassadorship. See page A3
Annual canoe regatta at Dutch Lake. See page A12 inside.
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Thursday, September 13, 2012 W Volume 47 No. 37 W www.clearwatertimes.com W $1.40 HST Included at Newsstands
Business owner voices roundabout concerns Keith McNeill The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure should halt development of a proposed roundabout on Highway 5 to allow more public input, according to local business owner Kym Jim. “If the ministry and the district wanted to be certain that they had taken public input on this matter, they should have no problem having further public discussion, and call a public meeting with all representatives,” he said. Jim is a member of the family that owns Jim’s Food Market, which is located next to the Highway 5 intersection with the road to Wells Gray Park where the proposed roundabout would be located. He was so unhappy with the way the roundabout project has moved ahead that he called a public meeting last Thursday to voice his concerns. About 80 people attended, with opinions expressed both for and against the roundabout. His family has been involved in the North Thompson Valley for 90 years, Jim told the meeting. He was raised in Little Fort and, even though he no longer lives in the Valley, he visits often and still has strong roots here. The single open house held last March was not adequate public input for the roundabout project, he said. A poll that showed the majority of those at the open house was in favor of the roundabout was entirely unscientific, Jim felt. The local business owner said
that what is needed before the project goes ahead is an overall traffic plan for the Highway 5 corridor in Clearwater. Such a plan would include details such as frontage and backage roads (a frontage road provides access to the front side of commercial properties alongside an arterial; a backage road provides access to commercial properties located between the backage road and an arterial). Before Jim’s Food Market started developing the corner the Ministry told them that a right-in and right-out access to Highway 5 would be acceptable, Jim said. Later the request was declined and they were told the intersection needed no improvements. Having a roundabout might negatively affect their business, Jim feared. Local business owner Kym Jim (l) expresses his concerns about a proposed roundabout during a meeting at Clearwater “What is unusual for Lodge on Thursday evening. About 80 people attended. Photo by Keith McNeill access is not good for business,” he said. Most travelers are not their members would have no land acquisition was involved, he Sherry Eland, the Ministry of used to roundabouts and, rather problem negotiating a roundabout Transportation and Infrastructure’s said. than try to figure out how to make district manager. as proposed. The road to Wells Gray Park the turn for Jim’s Food Market, Clearing snow from a roundintersection was the priority Clearwater council member many might just continue on their because of the speeds of traffic on about would be easier than clearKen Kjenstad was one of those way. the highway, the number of pedes- ing it from the present intersecwho spoke in favor of the roundJim encouraged those opposed tion, the council member said. trians crossing, and the projected about. to the roundabout to write letFor more about the roundabout growth in the area. More could not be said earlier ters to District of Clearwater question, see story on page A9 and Kjenstad said the provincial about the progress being made on council, MLA Terry Lake, and A10 inside. truckers’ association told him that the roundabout project because
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