Construction of a traffic light at the south end of Enderby where a pedestrian was fatally struck this summer is underway today (Oct. 24).
The traffic light is being erected at the intersection of Canyon Road and Highway 97A, a few paces south of the crosswalk where Splatsin band member Harry Jones Jr. was killed by a vehicle on July 1.
Blair Riley, the project manager with the Ministry of Transportation, told The Morning Star that the contractor started preparing the site on Friday with survey layout and the delivery of materials. Riley was with the crew on site Monday for the initial field review with the construction team, and the contractors are planning to begin construction Tuesday.
According to a construction notice from the ministry, construction work will take place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday, Drivers are advised that there may be some traffic disruption in the area while the work is being completed.
The project comes after Splatsin First Nation officials called for improvements to the intersection following Jones Jr.’s death.
“It is absolutely unacceptable that this preventable tragedy occurred,” said Splatsin councillor Sabrina Vergata in July. “This outcome is a direct result of poor crosswalk lighting. For such a busy highway, a regular set of traffic lights is needed as soon as possible to ensure that pedestrians may safely cross in the future and tragedies like this do not happen again.”
A few days later, Transportation Minister Rob Fleming issued a joint statement with Splatsin and Enderby saying the ministry would move ahead with installing signals at the intersection.
Rily said it is expected the work will be completed before the end of the month, so long as the weather allows.
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