River Road,barely passable say some,  unsafe say others

Prince George, B.C. - The Nechako Industry group will be getting a visit from the General Manager of Development Services and Operations this week. Bob Radloff will be meeting with the businesses who added their name, and voice to a letter to the City about River Road.

The road was raised  1,75 meters to 2 meters ( about 5-7 feet ) to act as a berm during the ice jam flooding. Since then, businesses have complained about the steep ramps, and dangerous conditions.

In a letter to the City, the businesses say the condition of the road is deteriorating, “ Recently there was an incident where a vehicle almost went over the edge of the road.” The letter also points out commercial traffic cannot safely pass each other, and the shoulders are very soft.

The businesses asked when the “temporary” berm would be removed.

The businesses didn’t get any direct answer to that question. According to Bob Radloff, the Provincial Emergency Program has requested the raised River Road stay in place until after the spring freshet “The road is graded twice a day, and compacted daily as it thaws. Generally it is starting to tighten up and we are seeing a much better product out there.”

He says it is graded once on the weekend and the road is posted for 30 km per hour and is rated as safe at that speed.

One section of the road is still single lane “It is problematic” says Radloff “It reduces the accessibility, but we are working on a plan there. I have been in discussion with the City Manager on how we might affect two way traffic in that area, It depends a bit on the weather cooperating with us to work on the berm.”

Radloff says the safety of the ramps is the most important thing they will be looking at when they meet this week “ We will alsto talk to the group about their plans, our plans for the next coming months.”