The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) are replacing a yield sign with a stop bar following a safety issue on the Old Skeena Bridge in Terrace.
On Sept. 3, a Facebook user posted a photo to a local Terrace group online capturing two cars side by side going opposite directions on the bridge — which is a one-way controlled by traffic lights.
“This lady thought it was a two-lane,” she writes. “We had the green light.”
The post includes many comments from other Facebook users, some who mention witnessing similar scenarios and blame the incidents on the detour caused by the roundabout construction that has confused drivers.
READ MORE: Expect delays from Terrace roundabout construction
Since construction has begun on the intersection of Hwy 16 and Hwy 37, an optional detour has been put in place guiding northbound traffic into Terrace’s downtown through Queensway Drive.
The traffic light mainly facing the Hwy 37 lane, which is currently closed, led Facebook users to suggest that drivers aren’t seeing the red light and continue driving onto the bridge.
“Are people running the red every day now or are the lights screwed up? Because it’s been happening every single day since they started work on the roundabout,” writes another Facebook user in the comment section.
In an email to the Terrace Standard, MOTI writes “The ministry will continue monitoring traffic movements and has since removed an existing yield sign and replaced it with a stop bar arrow to promote driver awareness that the bridge is 2-way traffic and signal-controlled. The ministry will continue to monitor both the detour and intersections, and will make adjustments as needed.”
READ MORE: Hwy 37 cellular dead zone signage not their responsibility, province says
A Terrace citizen also noted there were no reflectors on the main detours at the roundabout during its construction, which could be a potential risk to drivers at night-time.
MOTI says they will also monitor that construction site and will be improving the lighting and reflectivity through the route by adding lane reflectors to better guide drivers. Lights have since been installed.
natalia@terracestandard.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter