No Word Yet on Underpass Project

Monday, October 23, 2006 03:59 AM

No decision yet, but the City of Prince George is actively consulting with the Provincial Ministry of Transportation and the Prince George Construction Association on how the pedestrian underpass project can be restructured.

The project to build an underpass from a residential area under highway 16 to the Carrie Jane Grey Park area was budgeted at just under $600 thousand dollars. The project went out to tender, and like the Simon Fraser Bridge project, the lowest tender was nearly 2 times the budgeted amount.

The City applied for and received $240 thousand dollars in funding. The provision being the amount had to be used for that project before the end of the next fiscal year, March 31^st 2007. City Manager George Paul says he believes the Ministry has allowed for the dollars to be available for an extended period of time, “It is in their interests as much as it is in ours” says Paul. “I think the intent is the Ministry of Transportation is going to try and ensure we have that money available to get people off the dangerous highway crossing.”

The project will not be re-tendered at this time says City Manager George Paul. “If there is a re-tendering it will be done in the winter with construction to start in 2007” says Paul.

“The first thing we have to do is see the other perspectives on this from the Construction Association and the Ministry of Transportation as to how we could redevelop the project.”

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Posted on Monday, October 23, 2006 03:59 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Gofaster on October 23 2006 1:42 PM

or claim first nations status?

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on October 23 2006 10:02 PM

Is an overpass possible? Any cheaper? I know in Ontario they overpass places like the 401, which is huge. The overpasses are even designed so that snowmobiles can use them. The underpasses usually attract the criminal element or hobos use them to sleep in, but not the overpasses.

Posted by: owl on October 23 2006 10:37 PM

Underpasses are far less expensive as long as there are no unerground utilities in the way or other complications.

The area in question is ideally suited for an underpass since the roadway is already elevated in relation to the areas on both sides. To put an overpass there as inexpensively as possible would require an earth ramp on either side, which would then transiton into an elevated ramp and bridge.

I tis very true that tunnels are not as safe. There is one on the Hart, I thought.

There are things which can be done to make them safer - wider than required for normal traffic, splay the entrances, build in bright lights which are on 24/7/365, have brighter than normal lights outside the entrances, provide video monitors.

I am not quite sure what the origin & destination of the traffic which would use this would be and what alternatives there may be for travel.

I have been her for more than 3 decades and drive that road probably about an average frequency of people in town. I have yet to see a pedestrian cross the roadway there. Normally that would be one of the key indicators such a facility is required. Is there a justification report somewhere? I realize it is part of the trail system and has been in reports going back to at least 1975 as something to eventually build, but I ask myself how important it is in the big scheme of things?

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on October 24 2006 7:27 AM

The trail system you mentioned is probably the driving factor on this project. Although, some of our walkers are going to have to learn to do the scurry as they go by the hood! Hee hee!

Certainly makes the public river boat launch look like a bargin.

Posted by: Harbinger on October 25 2006 4:31 PM

How about a crossing guard with a sign? Get some old guy to do it. Maybe a guy who got fired as a Walmart greeter. Build him a little hut with a propane heater to sit in, til some one comes along wantng to cross the road. Much cheaper than current plans, PLUS it creates a much needed low skill job in this town. Wish I was an over paid consultant. Lotsa ideas.

Posted by: Harbinger on October 25 2006 4:36 PM

As an afterthought, if they build an overpass, they better erect a one mile fence along each side of the highway on either side of said overpass so people crossing will use it. As we all know, people are generally lazy, and like water, they will find the easiest route. Why build an overpass, when everyone will most likely run across the road right next to it? Duh!!