Kim Price of Harrison Mills appeared before council as a delegate, voicing her concerns for the safety active transportation along the stretch of Lougheed Highway through the Mount Woodside area.
Price suggested to council to “wire off” the west-bound rock ledge to prevent falling rocks and called upon the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) to restrict gas-powered motor vehicles along the left lane to allow for added safety for cyclists and pedestrians.
Councillors unanimously agreed to send a letter of concern to MOTI. Coun. Duane Post supported the letter but was not optimistic on the issue being fixed in the near future.
RELATED: Kent Council advocates for a wider Agassiz-Rosedale Bridge
RELATED: Bike, pedestrian lanes for Agassiz-Rosedale Bridge on hold amid seismic upgrades
“We can’t seem to get a lane on the Agassiz-Rosedale Bridge, which is probably even worse than Mount Woodside and more people would use it,” Post said.
Earlier this summer, the council sent a letter of concern to MOTI about the Agassiz-Rosedale Bridge, expressing that they were “deeply disappointed” to learn the work to be done on the bridge was rehabilitation only instead of adding improvements such as active transportation accommodations.
“This bridge is a vital link between the Trans-Canada Highway and Lougheed Highway and connects many communities on both sides of the Fraser River, including Agassiz and Rosedale,” the letter read. “However, it completely lacks a vital and extremely important active transportation link between these communities.”
A survey conducted by The Observer indicated 85 per cent of the 280-plus respondents supported wider pathways for pedestrians and cyclists along the Agassiz-Rosedale Bridge.
In other council business, Mayor Sylvia Pranger said local COVID-19 numbers are “alarmingly high” and vaccination rates among 12 to 30-year-olds are particularly low. According to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, as of Oct. 11, 76 per cent of the currently eligible local population in Agassiz-Harrison is fully vaccinated.
Council approved a $25,000 contract to Loewen Paving to repair the Centennial Park tennis courts. Work will involve painting new lines for tennis and pickleball and sealing the surface of the court. Portable pickleball nets are available at the Community Recreation and Cultural Centre.
Council approved spending $6,600 from the district’s COVID-19 Restart Grant to upgrade internet and security service at the Agassiz Fire Hall.
Pranger wished Edna Hedrick a special happy birthday; she is 100 years old.
A local foursome participated in the 2021 Golfing “FORE” Your Hospitals Tournament at Sandpiper Golf Course: Coun. Post, Sgt. Mike Sargent of the Agassiz RCMP, Chief Tyrone McNeil of the Sto:lo Tribal Council and District CAO Wallace Mah. The fundraiser raised $128,000 for the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation.
The next regular council meeting is scheduled for Oct. 25 at 7 p.m.
@adamEditor18
adam.louis@ ahobserver.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.