The BC Trucking Association says there’s no need to outright ban commercial trucks from using Highway 5A between Merritt and Kamloops.
President Dave Earle was asked about the ban that’s been proposed by some ranchers and private residents in the Nicola Valley.
“I can say, unequivocally, when we looked at numbered highways and our infrastructure in the province, we are not in favour of looking at bans for commercial traffic. Having said that, we understand the concerns of residents. We understand what’s there and what’s happening. But I think what we can’t lose sight of is, why that’s happening?”
Concerns raised have mostly been about trucks driving in an unsafe manner on Highway 5A, with those people suggesting trucks would be better off using the Coquihalla instead between Kamloops and Merritt.
Earle says it’s not clear why some truckers use Highway 5A instead of the Coquihalla.
“They’re trying very hard to get from Point A to Point B as safely as possible. We in this province have a significant, persistent infrastructure deficit. We do not have the facilities to move traffic from Point A to Point B. This is yet another example of what that looks like.”
Earle says the goal is to make sure resident’s concerns can be address about highway safety without limiting options.
Landowners asking for the ban on semi-trucks on Highway 5A have asked the Thompson-Nicola Regional District for support, and the TNRD is waiting to get more information from stakeholders before deciding whether to give support.
(Photo: Lori Brewer)