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Upgrades sought for Lakeshore Drive

Just as spring returns to the Shuswap, so do requests for improvements to Lakeshore Drive.
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“I guess there’s nothing worse than council members doing engineering.” - Councillor Tim Lavery

Just as spring returns to the Shuswap, so do requests for improvements to Lakeshore Drive.

City council recently discussed a letter from Reid Fowler, a resident of 45 years, who requested reduced speed and weight restrictions because of the deteriorating condition of the road shoulders and the width of the road. He said additional signs have made the road narrower and confusing.

He also suggested the stretch between 10th and 20th avenues be restricted to local access only.

Coun. Ken Jamieson noted some bits of asphalt as well as gravel are falling away, so some consideration should be given to reducing the speed limit. He said a full discussion of the road is needed, and citizens should be informed of long-term plans.

Coun. Chad Eliason joked about speed humps, but noted that in his 10 years on council, all kinds of remedies have been considered.

He wondered what the impact of weight restrictions would be, or perhaps one-way traffic during particular times.

“What’s the best option right now?”

Coun. Tim Lavery said some of the larger signs on the road constrict the pathway, but he trusts the expertise of staff.

“I guess there’s nothing worse than council members doing engineering,” he said with a smile.

Coun. Kevin Flynn said the speed limit is not being enforced at 50 km/hr, so he doesn’t know what would happen at 30 km/hr.

He said he appreciated the letter and supports the work of staff.

Rob Niewenhuizen, director of engineering and public works, said  Lakeshore Drive is identified in the official community plan as an urban collector, so its future design will be much wider with a sidewalk on at least one side.

However, he said, it’s now about 10 metres wide, with roads usually eight metres.

“I wouldn’t recommend reduced speed; it’s designed to accommodate speeds up to 50 km/hr.”

He said the city has had a geotechnical engineer on site who looked at cracking in the shoulder area. The cones on the road identify some of the cracking.

He said the engineer recommended work along the shoulder to improve drainage and run-off from the road surface, which has been done. Neighbours have also been asked not to put their lawn clippings there.

“As for an interim repair or further mitigation measures, staff will be investigating what options are available to help stabilize the bank... Recommendations and costs will presented to city council during the 2016 budget discussions,” he told the Market News in an email.

 



Martha Wickett

About the Author: Martha Wickett

came to Salmon Arm in May of 2004 to work at the Observer. I was looking for a change from the hustle and bustle of the Lower Mainland, where I had spent more than a decade working in community newspapers.
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