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Colleymount Road to improve soon

Resident-led Colleymount Road working group held a meeting to recognize the efforts of community members in advocating for improvements.
Colleymount Road to improve soon
Colleymount Road - which extends from Francois Lake’s ferry landing to km 54 - has had a significant increase of commercial and non-commercial traffic and presents safety issues such as narrow

Approximately one year after its inception, the resident-led Colleymount Road working group held a meeting to recognize the efforts of community members in advocating for improvements on Colleymount Road.

The meeting was held last week at the Trout Creek Hall and included the presence of local residents and representatives from Lakes District Maintenance, Tahtsa Timber and Babine Forest Products.

According to Rita Lavoie, member of the resident-led group, the meeting provided an opportunity to recognize all those who have been involved over the past year in promoting and effecting the improvements to Colleymount Road.

“It was also a chance to acknowledge that the successes recognized at the meeting had come with hard work and persistent efforts on the part of all those who had an interest in the Colleymount Road,” she said.

During the meeting, attendees reviewed a draft plan proposed by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to address critical areas of the road. The plan was based on priorities identified by the local residents on Nov. 4, 2015.

According to residents, Colleymount Road - which extends from Francois Lake’s ferry landing to km 54 - has had a significant increase of commercial and non-commercial traffic and presents safety issues such as narrow, blind corners and sloughing on both road portions and embankments.

Thanks to the efforts of Colleymount residents bringing the critical areas of the road to the attention of the ministry, the road will now start to see some improvements.

In 2016/17 the road will see shoulder widening and mowing, pullout construction, brushing, sealcoating shore armouring, geotechnical repairs, corner improvements and bridge improvements.

Since its inception on March 22, 2015, the group has sent a petition that netted almost 1000 signatures to transportation minister Todd Stone. The group has also conducted a 12-hour traffic count, photographed critical areas and has continuously engaged with the ministry. In addition, residents have sent hundreds of letters to minister Stone as part of a letter-writing campaign whereby residents expressed their concerns and made recommendations.

Lavoie says the group is now at a point of “momentary homeostasis.” However, she says that without resident oversight, Colleymount Road could easily fall off the ministry’s radar.

“The Colleymount Road working group will continue to meet and to monitor the commitments made by the ministry,” said Lavoie.

The next meeting of the resident-led group will take place in the fall of 2016.

“At the one-year anniversary gathering, it was clear that despite differing views and ideas, there was an atmosphere of mutual respect and appreciation of everyone’s participation,” added Lavoie.