Skeena MLA Claire Rattée is pushing the provincial government to fix what she calls increasingly dangerous winter driving conditions on Highway 37 between Kitimat and Terrace.
On Dec 19, Rattée wrote to Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth, mentioning many complaints from people who use the highway for work, doctor’s visits, and other important trips.
“My office is receiving multiple complaints daily from constituents who travel this corridor for work, medical appointments, and essential services,” Rattée wrote.
She said her office continues to receive reports of poor road conditions following recent snowfall and icy weather, and described the problems as both consistent and alarming.
“The concerns are consistent and alarming: inadequate snow clearing, little to no application of salt or gravel, and road conditions that are being described as extremely hazardous,” she said.
The stretch of Highway 37 between Kitimat and Terrace is maintained by contractor Emil Anderson Maintenance. While winter driving in northern B.C. is always risky, Rattée said the current conditions are worse than what people should reasonably expect.
“While winter driving always carries inherent risks, the current state of the roadway suggests a failure to meet reasonable expectations for winter maintenance on a critical northern route,” Rattée wrote.
She emphasized that the highway is really important to northwest B.C. communities, calling it a key road, not just a side route.
“This is not a minor or isolated concern, this corridor is a lifeline for residents of Kitimat, Terrace, and surrounding communities, and these unsafe conditions place lives at risk,” she said.
Rattée wants the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to explain what standards Emil Anderson needs to follow for snow and ice control, how the ministry makes sure they follow those standards, what they can do if contractors don’t do a good job, and if the ministry thinks the current work meets the contract.
Because there are so many serious complaints, Rattée also wants the ministry to get involved directly.
“Given the frequency and severity of complaints, I am also requesting that a representative from your Ministry contact my office directly to discuss these concerns and what immediate steps are being taken to ensure safe travel conditions,” she wrote.
Rattée added that inadequate winter maintenance has a greater impact on northern communities.
“Northern communities already face disproportionate challenges related to distance, weather, and access to services,” she said, adding that “road maintenance failures compound those challenges and undermine public confidence in the Ministry’s ability to deliver basic infrastructure safety.”
Rattée said she wants the ministry to respond quickly and take real action to fix the situation before a serious road incident occurs.
