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Council asked to consider Rockwell re-route

Frequently flooded road needs a new way in and out, residents say
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In February, damage to Rockwell Drive rendered the Harrison Hot Springs street unrecognizable and utterly destroyed by floods. More than 40 homes needed to be evacuated from the area. (Colin Caldwell/Contributed)

As Rockwell Drive resumes normal life following rebuilding, an area resident put a proposal into motion to hopefully prevent this from happening again.

During the regular District of Kent Council meeting on Monday evening, John Allen of Harrison Hot Springs proposed that the council look into a new alternate road and route to and from the Rockwell Drive area, which was destroyed back in February during a flood and subsequent landslide. He proposed a route from Rockwell Lane through forested land to the Hick’s Lake Road.

The flood this year displaced more than 40 homes, and Allen pointed out this certainly wasn’t the first time the road met disaster due in no small part to similar events.

“Something needs to be done to fix this problem,” Allen said. “It seems like pinning the tail on the donkey. I don’t know how you resolve this, but I do know it’s very much needed for the District of Kent.”

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Coun. Stan Watchorn said he “wouldn’t be optimistic” that this plan could be executed, noting that this proposal would ultimately have to go to provincial authorities (which Council indicated they could do) andb the project could come at a significant, not-yet-surmountable cost to the district.

In other council business, The council approved of awarding AquaTerra Environmental $32,040 excluding taxes for environmental management and drainage maintenance. The council also approved a roadway crack sealing contract to Sealtec Industries for $27,110, taxes included.

Mayor Sylvia Pranger said she received positive feedback with how the Community Recreation and Cultural Centre were handling pandemic-related protocols as they continue to gradually open. Pranger further thanked the residents for their continued cooperation during the pandemic through physical distancing and other related protocols.

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“Stay safe, be kind and shop local,” she said.

Concerning the most recent freshet report, Coun. Susan Spaeti said that the first peak river levels appears to have passed and that district staff will be watching the levels continuously in the coming weeks.

The next regular district council meeting is scheduled for June 22 at 7 p.m. at District Hall.



adam.louis@ahobserver.com

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