Next week, the Government of B.C. will tender the contract to construct a vehicle pull-out on Highway 5A. When completed this October, the pull-out will allow Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) officers to safely conduct inspections on southbound commercial vehicles.

The pull-out will be constructed on Highway 5A southbound, approximately one kilometre south of the Kamloops municipal boundary at Knutsford. It will be illuminated and have room for five commercial vehicles.

In addition to the new pull-out, speed activated LED chevrons and curve warning signs will be installed along the route later this fall. The LED chevrons light up at night and provide a very visible indication of the curve alignment. The curve warning signs will activate when vehicles are travelling in excess of the posted speed.

When the Knutsford pull-out is completed, CVSE will host a multi-day, multi-agency commercial vehicle road check, followed by frequent road checks at random dates and times.

CVSE monitors and patrols Highway 5A on a priority basis, and has increased patrols to an average of 20 days per month, up from 15. An unmarked CVSE vehicle also is in service in the Thompson Nicola area, focusing on Highway 5A.

Since 2011, safety improvements and increased enforcement levels have resulted in a 50 per cent drop in the number of serious collisions involving commercial trucks, and a 70 per cent drop in the number of truck speeding violations.

Nearly 1,000 vehicles use the corridor each day, with commercial truck traffic accounting for approximately 35 per cent of daily traffic. Current traffic volume is below that of the early 1980s when Highway 5A was the primary route for all traffic between Merritt and Kamloops.

Quotes:

Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone -

"There's been a tremendous focus on safety on Highway 5A, and motorists seem to be getting the message. This new pull-out will give our Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement officers a safe place to do full inspections on multiple commercial vehicles, further improving safety on this corridor."

Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart -

"This is a busy stretch of road, and we need to do what we can to increase safety. I'm pleased to see additional measures put into place to protect enforcement officers and reduce serious collisions on the highway."

Learn More:

To read the report on Highway 5A, go to: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/publications/reports_and_studies/index.htm

Contact:

Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241