Vernon Morning Star, July 04, 2014

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Barriers increase Highway 97 safety RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff

Motorist safety will be improved on a deadly stretch of North Okanagan highway. It was announced Wednesday that concrete barriers will be installed along 11 kilometres of Highway 97 between Coldstream and Lake Country to ensure motorists do not cross the centre line. “I have known people who have unfortunately lost their lives,” said Eric Foster, Vernon-Monashee MLA. The most recent accident claimed the life of an Oyama man June 4. Barriers are currently along a portion of the highway but the announcement means the remaining sections will also be barricaded through the $5 million project, which will begin this fall. “We’re constantly working to improve highway safety,” said Transportation Minister Todd Stone, adding that there is a need to take action as about 20,000 vehicles a day use the highway. Also on Wednesday, Stone announced that the speed limit on Highway 97, from Gatzke Road in Oyama to College Way in Coldstream, will be increased from 90 to 100 kilometres. However, that won’t occur until the concrete barriers are in place. One safety improvement that is not moving ahead yet is realignment of the Birnie Road intersection. “I’m familiar with Birnie Road and the concerns expressed,” said Stone of demands from the Regional District of North Okanagan that something be done to ensure the safety of people leaving the Greater Vernon landfill and entering on to the highway from Birnie Road. However, Stone says his ministry must balance investment in highway infrastructure with taxpayers’ ability to pay for such work.

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Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster (left) helps Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone unveil a $5 million Highway 97 barrier project Wednesday at the Kalamalka Lake lookout. The highway has claimed two lives, in separate accidents, in recent weeks. For a video of the announcement visit www. vernonmorningstar.com

When asked where Birnie Road was in terms of priorities, Stone said, “We’ll talk that through with the regional district.” Stone met with representatives from RDNO, Vernon and Coldstream Wednesday. The Ministry of Transportation wants to make it right-in only for motorists leaving the highway to get on to Birnie Road and

right-out only for motorists entering back on to the highway. RDNO wants a bridge constructed over

the highway so traffic leaving Birnie Road can get back on to the highway northbound safely.

Coroner investigating water skiing fatality Morning Star Staff

The B.C. Coroners Service is now handling the investigation into the death of a water skier on Sugar Lake near Lumby on Canada Day. Just after 6 p.m. Tuesday,

Lumby RCMP responded to a call about an unconscious woman involved in a water skiing accident on the lake. “The 46-year-old Coldstream resident was water skiing on Sugar Lake with her husband as

water.” Kovacs said family members began CPR on the victim while being transported to shore, and then in a family vehicle while travelling to meet emergency medical services personnel.

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the operator of the motor boat and family members as spotters,” said RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Gerry Kovacs. “The victim fell into the water and was found unconscious when pulled out of the

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The woman was transported to Vernon Jubilee Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Kovacs said no alcohol was involved in the incident. The RCMP will assist the coroner in their investigation.

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