Skip to content

Ministry of Transportation to hold info session on West Fraser Road washout

The meeting will take place at Buckridge Community Hall on Sept. 20
13582533_web1_IMG_0406_01
The slide area on the West Fraser Road at Quesnel’s Deep Creek. Photo courtesy of Emcon Services

The Ministry of Transportation’s West Fraser Road project manager as well as other Ministry staff will be at Buckridge Community Hall Sept. 20, to engage with the community about the washout and subsequent plan for repair of the West Fraser Road.

The public information session begins at 6 p.m. at the community building, which is located 5.9 km south of the Webster Lake Road/West Fraser Road junction on the west side of the road. Attendees are invited to bring their own lawn chair.

A Ministry spokesperson said via email staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide members of the public and key stakeholders with the latest information on the West Fraser Road washout, as well as the current detour via Garner Road.

The Ministry informed ?Esdilagh (Alexandria) First Nation in July 2018 that construction would not commence on West Fraser Road until summer 2020 due to the extent of the washout. Community members using the detour route say it is not currently safe enough to travel until 2020.

READ MORE: West Fraser Road closed until at least 2020, says Ministry of Transportation

The Ministry said it has made safety improvements to Garner Road and Webster Lake Road, and users of West Fraser Road will be consulted for feedback once conceptual designs and cost estimates for repairs have been developed. The Ministry said the consultations will likely take place later this fall.

“The Cariboo Regional District, School District 28, ?Esdilagh First Nation, local MLA and other stakeholders have been extended invitations [to the public information session], and all members of the public are welcome,” said the Ministry spokesperson.

“West Fraser Road continues to be impassable due to significant spring flooding and remains closed for peoples’ safety. Ministry staff understand the impact this closure is having on people, and we will continue to work towards the earliest possible solution. Technical assessments have been ongoing as the ministry investigates options to re-establish regular service,” an email to the Observer read.

In an interview with Quesnel Mayor Bob Simpson last week (Sept. 14), Simpson told the Observer that during a meeting with the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention in Whistler, he and other City of Quesnel representatives asked the Ministry for a commitment that it will allocate the appropriate resources to make sure the detour route is safe.

Simpson said at the time he will be following up with the Ministry and is planning to attend the public information session on Sept. 20.



editor@quesnelobserver.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter