Skip to content

City and First Nations call on province for bridge improvements

Safer crossings for cyclists and pedestrians needed, leaders say
29852907_web1_220728-TST-safer.cycling.etc.bridges-TERRACE_1
Oncoming transport truck highlights narrow bicycle lane and narrow sidewalks on the Kalum River Bridge. It’s the same on other provincial bridges in the area. (Staff photo)

Local governments are urging the provincial transportation ministry to do more to make it safer for pedestrians, cyclists and others not driving vehicles to cross highway bridges.

High, narrow sidewalks and narrow marked bicycle lanes on the travel surface of the bridges don’t make them safe, said representatives from the Kitsumkalum First Nations and City of Terrace at a July 6 meeting to discuss traffic issues surrounding the closure of the old Skeena Bridge. The bridge will be closed until next fall for an extensive rehabilitation.

Terrace Mayor Carol Leclerc wondered about having just one route for pedestrians and others to enter and leave Terrace via the two bridges west of the Hwy16/37 roundabout.

The bridges have a “sidewalk that doesn’t accommodate pedestrians and cyclists and a road that doesn’t accommodate cyclists with vehicle traffic,” she told Dan Baker, the provincial transportation and infrastructure ministry’s senior official in the area. Baker said that safety is mostly up to the individual and that it is up to the public to act responsibly.

“To keep them safe they just need to follow the rules of the road,” he said.

Leclerc responded by telling Baker that while the roads may have been built for vehicles, the sidewalks that were built aren’t adequate. “We are lagging behind and it is a safety issue,” she said.

“I’m a cyclist and I don’t feel safe going across the bridges now.”

Baker did say his ministry looks for ways to improve matters for pedestrians, cyclists and others in concert with road projects. He reminded those at the meeting that the ministry and the province provides grants for municipalities to develop separate pathways for pedestrians, cyclists and others.

City of Terrace councillor Sean Bujtas expanded the conversation to include the Sande Overpass and the Kalum River Bridge west of Terrace. He noted that sidewalks are too narrow for two people to pass each other in wheelchairs, particularly when there’s a drop by as much as a foot to the travel surface.

“This is something that probably should have been addressed years and years ago,” he said.

Kitsumkalum First Nation councillor Cynthia Bohn and Diane Collins, the general manager of the Kitsumkalum Economic Development Group echoed the others.

“We want to create a more greener atmosphere so cycling is a really important thing,” said Collins.

Baker said he was not discrediting calls for better and safer pedestrian and other access on the bridges.

“It is something that we look for opportunities to improve,” he said.

“It’s a bit of a monster, obviously. The bridges, when it comes to changes to bridges, it’s pretty significant. It can be done though. It’s not impossible but it’s a big challenge.”

Also at the meeting was Chris Apps, the lands and resources director from the Kitselas First Nation, who discussed access to fishing sites at the old Skeena Bridge with Baker.