Traffic signals are now on at two Princeton intersections about which the town’s mayor once expressed concern.
The two new signals will be installed at the intersections of Main Road 3 and Main Road 5A, and Main Road 5A and Bridge Street.
Highway lighting was also added between the new signals, and the lanes on Main Road 5A at Bridge Street were adjusted to allow a northbound right-turn lane.
Read more:
Princeton’s mayor frustrated with county after highway traffic leads through city
During last year’s wildfires, these intersections were flooded with traffic when Princeton became the detour for travelers as the Coquihalla Highway between Merritt and Hope was closed.
So much so that Spencer Coyne, mayor of the town, said he was afraid someone would really get hurt unless the county acted with a solution.
“The community has asked for help, and our government is committed to keeping people safe. “These intersection improvements will do exactly that for people living in and around Princeton, and for all of our highway travelers,” said Roly Russell, MLA Boundary-Similkameen.
Speaking on behalf of Transportation Secretary Rob Fleming, Russell said temporary and emergency changes to highway flows could dramatically increase traffic and congestion in Princeton.
He also praised Coyne for his advocacy on behalf of his constituents.
Read more:
Stoplights are being installed along Highway 5A in Princeton to alleviate traffic concerns
The improvements will also help manage increased traffic due to periodic highway closures in the region due to events such as severe winter storms, veld fires and floods.
As Highways 3 and 5A meet with Bridge Street, the main street in downtown Princeton, additional traffic control measures are needed to ensure the safety of residents and travelers.
“The new traffic lights for these intersections are a big sigh of relief,” Coyne said. “We would like to thank the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure for coming up with a solution so quickly and before the Family Day weekend.
“We believe that the new lights will make it safer to drive and walk over the busy intersections.”
Additional improvements will be completed this spring, such as the upgrade to fiber optics, the improvement of sidewalk accessibility and the application of permanent line paint,
The project is being completed by Westcana Electric Inc., the ministry’s local contractor for electrical services.
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Reference-globalnews.ca