Breaking news: Another accident in "Million-Dollar Alley"
By Kyra Hoggan
Another car crash at the intersection of Minto Road and Columbia Avenue has local officials shaking their heads in frustration.
The collision, which took place at about 4:40 p.m., is one of more than a dozen in the past year or so, which is why the thoroughfare was dubbed “Million-Dollar Alley”.
Castlegar Fire Chief Gerry Rempel was at the scene, and told The Source at 5:05 p.m. that the two drivers were being assessed by paramedics, but there didn’t appear to be any major injuries. Both were transported to Castlegar hospital at 5:20 p.m.
Meanwhile, he added this intersection has been a significant problem for a long time now.
“It sure has,” he said. “The city has been trying to get the speed limit reduced, but so far, with no luck.”
City councillor Kevin Chernoff, who took the picture accompanying this article, is the manager of Trowelex, which is siutated on this corner, and he said he’s witnessed accident, after accident, after accident.
“Between last year and this one, I think we’ve counted 13.
“I think everyone’s been really lucky, with only broken bones and that kind of thing,” he said. “I don’t know how we’ve gone this long without a fatality, and it’s only a matter of time before one happens (if the status quo is maintained).”
The good news, Chernoff said, is that the city is finally enjoying some success in lobbying the Ministry of Transportation to implement changes that will make this stretch of highway safer.
“We’re actually starting to make some headway, working on maybe a speed reduction, maybe a different configuration of the two-way lane.”
In the interim, both Rempel and Chernoff advise motorists to proceed with caution when traversing this intersection.
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