Barriere’s 100th Anniversary
District of Barriere councillors heard from two delegations at their July 15 meeting. The first was Harley Wright of the Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society. Wright was there to confirm the society’s commitment to Barriere’s 100th Anniversary celebrations, and to reiterate their willingness to be part of that committee. Council members passed a motion to add Harley Wright as a member of the 100th Anniversary committee.
Proposed speed limit changes
The second delegation consisted of Paula Cousins, District Manager, and Shawn Clough, Program Manager MOTI Thompson Nicola District. They spoke about the speed survey that was recently completed in the Barriere area, and their recommendations from that survey. Along the stretch of Highway 5 near Stone Road in Louis Creek, the target area was the traffic traveling in the level tangent for 300m south of Stone Road, which includes four accesses to a frontage road and private residences. During the survey, the minimum speed clocked was 70 km/h, the maximum speed was 126 km/h, with the average speed coming in at 89.9 km/h. With the current posted speed at 80 km/h, and with 85 percent of traffic traveling at 99 km/h, MOTI proposes that the speed limit be changed to 90 km/h through this stretch.
The second area targeted was the stretch of Highway 5 at Dee Jay Road in Barriere. Here, the minimum speed clocked was 59 km/h, the maximum speed was 116 km/h, with an average speed of 85.2km/h. With the current posted speed at 80 km/h, and with 85 percent of traffic traveling at 93 km/h, MOTI proposes that the speed limit be changed to 90 km/h through this stretch (northbound). They also propose changing the speed between Agate Bay Road and Dee Jay Road to 60 km/h. (see picture)
The proposed changes are only proposals at this point, as there will need to be more discussion, not only with the District of Barriere, but also with Simpcw First Nation.
Council members passed the first three readings of the Road Closure Bylaw No. 107. This bylaw now goes to MOTI for their approval, then back to the District of Barriere for the final adoption.
Winter road maintenance
Council members also passed a motion to award the Winter Road Maintenance contract to Purcha and Son Ltd. for a lump sum seasonal price of $212,980.00, for three winter seasons beginning October 2013, with an option to renew for two additional seasons should both parties be in agreement at that time.
911 Golf Tournament
Council members passed a motion to donate $300 to the 911 Golf Tournament.
The next District of Barriere Council meeting will be on August 19, at 7 p.m.