On Monday, December 9, 2024, Mayor White wrote a letter to Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit, requesting urgent action to address safety issues along a section of Highway 101.
Dear Minister Farnworth,
With deep sadness, I am writing to inform you that this past weekend, another pedestrian was killed by a vehicle on Highway 101, outside the Poplars Estates mobile home park. We do not know the details of this particular accident as it is still being investigated by the RCMP; however, this tragedy further underscores the urgent need for safety improvements along this section of the highway.
Of course, your ministry is well aware that we’ve been raising this issue throughout our local political term. Your staff has responded positively by recognizing the severe safety hazards, particularly through the unsafe interface of the highway and bus stops. We were last updated at UBCM that you’ve sent staff here to do engineering assessments and have drafted plans for safety improvements along the corridor running through and outside of Gibsons, which are set to be finalized in early 2025.
Unfortunately, these efforts were not completed in time to prevent this latest death. To help avoid another tragedy we urge you to prioritize and expedite the finalization of this work and to fund its implementation as soon as possible, preferably in the 2024 budget but, if need be, as an immediate commitment in your 2025 budget. We also request the opportunity to meet with your staff and MLA Neill about the plan as soon as it is finalized, as was committed at UBCM.
Thank you immensely for your ministry’s attention over the past year to this critical safety issue. I am sorry to have to share this unfortunate development as you continue to resolve it.
Sincerely,
Silas White
Mayor, Town of Gibsons
