Norm Macdonald MLA                                              Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

October 27, 2009

Accident in Columbia Valley raises concerns about road maintenance across the province

VICTORIA – In Question Period yesterday, Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald asked the Minister of Transportation why she isn’t meeting her responsibility to provide safe roads for British Columbians.

Three major traffic accidents occurred on October 14th in the Columbia Valley after a predicted snowfall.  The most serious of these accidents resulted in the near death of a truck driver who was crushed between two vehicles when he stopped to put chains on his vehicle on the road to Panorama.

“It was clear from police reports that the fault in the Panorama road accident did not lie with the driver,” said Macdonald.  “The fault lay with the condition of the roads.”

Macdonald and Opposition transportation critic Harry Bains took the Minister to task for failing to enforce the maintenance standards required by contractual agreements in place with contractors such as Mainroad East Kootenay.

“Adequate maintenance was not done by the contractor.  As a result, the road was not driveable, and someone has been very seriously injured.”

Transportation Minister Shirley Bond defends the record of the province’s maintenance contractors claiming that standards are rigorously enforced, despite the fact that Mainroad East Kootenay alone was cited for 28 safety violations.

“Not only do maintenance contractors get away with safety violations and failures to meet contractual obligations, they receive performance bonuses without regard to their record.”

Mainroad East Kootenay received $178,364 in performance bonuses in 2008.

“The Minister of Transportation is ultimately responsible for ensuring that British Columbians can travel safely on our roads.  The ministry has signed contracts with maintenance contractors that are routinely ignored, and has put in place a system that incents contractors to cut costs without concern about losing their performance bonuses.

“I’m concerned that October 14th is just a preview of what is to come this winter if the Minister doesn’t start demanding that maintenance contractors meet their contractual obligations.”

Macdonald is encouraging constituents to share their concerns with the Minister.  Reports of road conditions can be sent to minister.transportation@gov.bc.ca with a c.c. to norm.macdonald.mla@leg.bc.ca.

-- 30 --