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Socio-Economic
Montage
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Kootenay Boundary
Transportation Systems Strategy
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Authored
by: ADI Limited
In Assocation
With:
Coopers and Lybrand Consulting
Reid Crowther and Partners Ltd.
Transmode Consultants
Commissioned
by: Ministry of Transportation
and Highways
May 1997
Location
of Publication:
Ministry of Transportation and Highways, Nelson, B.C.
Regional District of Kootenay Boundary, Trail, B.C.
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The study area lies primarily within
the Kootenay Boundary Highway District and includes about 291 km
of numbered highways bounded by the U.S. border to the south, Grand
Forks to the west, Nelway to the east and Crescent Valley to the
north. The terrain is mountainous with most development and transportation
corridors constrained to narrow valley floors. The accident rate
is higher than the provincial average due to the combination of
snow, mountainous terrain and wildlife/vehicle collisions. There
is a high proportion of tourism and truck traffic.
This strategy is intended to provide
an overall framework to guide future transportation system improvements,
which support other provincial and regional objectives. The basic
principles are to encourage:
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economic efficiency in an
active environment of international competition;
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safety in a mountainous region
with mixed industrial and tourist traffic;
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solutions in a socially and
environmentally acceptable manner;
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solutions sensitive to the
costs and benefits of the improvement; and,
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cost-effective modal options. |
The study identified transportation
problems, presented and evaluated alternatives and recommended a
plan for future action. Ministry of Transportation and Highways
Executive has endorsed, in principle, the recommendations of the
study. While some items have already been acted upon, other are
longer term. All are subject to available funding and further opportunities
for public consultation will occur as projects proceed. Principle
recommendations include the following:
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Develop a commercial border
crossing at Waneta on Highway 22A and reroute the heavy industrial
traffic, which now uses the Warfield hill, through the Waneta
crossing.
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Upgrade Highway 3B and major
street networks through Trail.
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Make interim improvements
to Warfield hill (as the Waneta border crossing may not be
developed for several years). Recommended improvements are
aimed at preventing serious truck accidents and road closures
due to loss of traction.
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Replace the Waneta Bridge
to accommodate heavy industrial traffic if the border crossing
remains on the east side of the Columbia River.
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In the long term, consider
investigating the feasibility of a new highway route on the
east side of the Columbia River. This option may resolve traffic
congestion in Trail and Castlegar.
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Consider, in the long term,
future by passes of Trail. Options reviewed include a south
side and a north side bypass, which would require new bridges
across the Columbia River. |
Other recommendations include:
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a truck pullout on Highway
3 eastbound approaching Castlegar where trucks could pull
over to let their brakes cool, and check adjustment;
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pullouts for portable weigh
scales at nine locations as recommended by the Motor Vehicle
Branch;
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improving the Highway 3/22
Interchange;
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protecting abandoned rail
right of way in the short term for recreational use and in
the long term for future transportation corridors;
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establishing programs to reduce
wildlife collisions by identifying problem areas and implementing
countermeasures, such as reflective devices together with
educational programs; and,
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encouraging municipalities
to develop support street networks based on major street network
plans. |
Current Events
(as of March 31st, 1999):
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The Highway 3/22 Interchange
has been designed and work is slated to commence in the spring
of 1999.
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The Warfield Hill, weigh-in-motion
experiment was intended to calculate the maximum safe descent
speed of trucks. The safe speed was to be displayed on an
overhead changeable message sign. This project was unsuccessful
due to the climate and grades.
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A dragnet arresting system
for runaway trucks will be constructed on the Warfield hill
in the year 2000.
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Funds for Highway 3B/22A Trail
to Waneta, route study, have been requested.
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Funds have been requested
for improvements to Highway 22, south of the interchange.
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Funds have been requested
for Highway 22, Kinnaird to Trail, for the design of passing
lanes.
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Liaison is continuing with
Washington State Department of Transportation, Stevens County
and Canada Customs regarding the development of the Waneta
border crossing.
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Participation in the Roads
to Rails initiative is continuing. |
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