The Thompson-Nicola Regional District is supporting a proposed ban on non-local semi-truck traffic on Highway 5A, between Kamloops and Merritt.

Directors voted 21-5 to write a letter of support to Stump Lake Ranch, which will be trying to lobby the B.C. government for such a ban.

Director Mel Rothenburger says there was a difference of opinions on safety along Highway 5A,. in a presentation given on behalf of local residents in December who were advocating for the ban, and one from Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement staff given in March.

“There’s a lot to be said for the idea of designating that highway to ban commercial truck traffic, and making arrangements of course for local truck traffic to continue. But common sense says those trucks should be kept off of Highway 5A and onto the Coquihalla.”

Several directors said they think the Coquihalla is the best place for semi-trucks north of Merritt. Ashcroft mayor of Barbara Roden says it’s a super-highway designed for larger trucks on the roads today.

Directors Linda Brown, Stephen Quinn, Ronaye Elliott, Ken Gillis and Santo Talarico voted against the proposed truck ban.

Brown, who is the mayor of Merritt, says the city has been lobbying for five years for mandatory commercial truck driver training, which the B.C. government will be bringing in in October.

“These are public roads, paid by taxpayer dollars. They’re not meant to be private roads just for the people who live on them,” she adds.

Nicola Valley North director David Laird says he often sees issues on Highway 5A from his own home, near the Quilchena Hotel.

“I can see the highway from my living room windows. It’s part of my entertainment some days. The other night, there was one truck passing another truck in the 70-kilometre-an-hour speed zone. It’s a very short distance. To me that’s totally irresponsible. It doesn’t matter what kind of training you have if you don’t respect the speed limit you’re driving down the highway at.”

In asking for support on the proposed truck ban, Stump Lake Ranch brought forward nine letters of support in a presentation; three identified as staff of the Douglas Lake Cattle Company, including general manager Phil Braig. Others included local ranchers and private citizens, and also Upper Nicola Band chief Harvey McLeod. Several private residents, many of whom say they live along the highway, have also written to the TNRD since then asking for semi-trucks to be banned.

On the contrary, CVSE staff told the board in March that a truck ban “would not make the highway any safer,” and the BC Trucking Association has said it is “unequivocally” against that proposal.

(Photo: Lori Brewer)