NORTH - SOUTH CONNECTOR FROM SPOKANE TO VALEMOUNT (2005)

 

Many of our industries in the South East corner of the province rely heavily on the highway system. Tourism, forestry, and mining, depend on a north south connector through the Waneta Junction border crossing from Spokane to Valemount. 

 

A good road system can act as a catalyst for the growth of industry and alleviate the enormous cost for existing industry in areas of the province where north south connections are everyday becoming the major economic driver for the communities, province and Canada.

 

The Ministry “Transportation Service Plan February 2002”, states one of its goals is to “maintain a highway system that is safe, reliable and supports the economy” and that’s its priorities are to “maintain the asset” and “invest in improvement”s.  The Ministry has set forth a plan to address ‘pavement conditions’ with 75% of primary highways to be in good/excellent condition, 65% of secondary highways to be in good/excellent condition and 78% of bridges to be in excellent condition.

 

A joint feasibility study between BC and Washington State on Highway 22A is nearing completion.  Preliminary recommendations suggest that the low elevation route from Spokane through Waneta border crossing and on to meet highway #1 and further connect to Alaska would have significant impact on the ease of movement of commuters, tourist, business and transport vehicles efficiently, safely and quickly.  This would have a vital impact on the economic viability of the communities on both sides of the border as well as the rest of BC.

 

An unnecessary 6km ascent and then a 6km decent through the Patterson Border Crossing attributes to frequent closures, poor maintenance and dangerous conditions and drastically affects the economy of all of BC. The relocation of this corridor to a low elevation route through Waneta Junction would reduce the number of serious accidents, deaths, and resultant property damages as well as lengthy delays due to road condition.

 

At present, actual truck and driver cost run at $77.00 per hour because of the lack of a low elevation route. The anticipated accident reduction would be between 15% and 20 % and with the relocation of the 24 hour border crossing from Patterson to the Waneta Junction there would be further savings for operation and the safety of travelers.  This new low elevation route would also require the replacement of the oldest bridge in the province.

 

Plans have been made to upgrade Patterson border crossing and to replace the Waneta bridge.  Before that money is spent the actual cost for the low elevation route should be calculated and the cost from the bridge ($10 million) and the customs crossing should be used to reduce the overall cost of the low elevation route.

 

This corridor could become the international route for the entire north south infrastructure needs and provide tremendous cost savings, added safety and a direct link from the interior of Washington State as a hub for the USA to the Interior of Canada particularly BC and Alberta.

 

The possible public private partnership and creative funding initiative for this low elevation route would see the need for very little spending of provincial dollars.

 

THE CHAMBER RECOMMENDS

 

That the provincial government:

 

1. cooperates with the Washington State government to ensure a major north south corridor is planned, costed and constructed;

 

2. give the low elevation route from Spokane to Valemount through Waneta Junction the highest priority;

 

3. redirect all improvement funding already allocated to the bridge upgrade and Patterson upgrade or any other upgrades on the existing highway structure related to the north south crossing in this area,  to this low level route; and

 

4. establish a timeline for start and completion of this project in order to create a efficient, safe and long lasting economic benefit to our area.