Looking for alternate road access out of Terrace

The flooding and mudslides of the last week or so has brought home the need in Terrace for a reliable and safe alternate route of the city for the future. The first topic of debate seems to be an upgrade of the much discussed Cranberry Connector, the roughed out logging road that has become the lifeline of Terrace and points south and west these last couple of weeks.

‘Cranberry Connector must be brought up to speed’
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Friday, June 08, 2007

Communities in the Northwest need federal assistance and an upgrade to the Cranberry Connector in order to recover from present and prevent future disasters, say the region's federal and provincial politicians.

"A single stretch of Highway 16 is the only road that connects the communities of Terrace, Kitimat and Prince Rupert to the rest of the province," said North Coast MLA Gary Coons.
"When that road is cut off, as it has been for most of the last week, it puts pressure on the whole Northwest region, including Haida Gwaii."

The Cranberry Connector is a logging road that connects New Aiyansh to Highway 37 North, just south of Meziadin Junction.

"The Cranberry Connector is the only logical upgrade," said Coons.

"Grocery store shelves are emptying, gas stations are running out of gasoline and people are concerned that it will be days before roads are open. It's time for the government to make a real investment in the safety and well-being of northern residents."

Although upgrading the Cranberry Connector would not help the current situation with the Highway between Terrace and Prince Rupert closed, it would certainly help Terrace residents who have seen their highway cut off on both sides of the city, and unlike Prince Rupert do not have the option of barging in goods.

In addition to pointing out that without upgrades area residents may be stranded or left without essential goods and services, Coons cited several reasons why upgrading the Cranberry Connector makes good economic sense.

"This region is already struggling economically and disruptions in economic activity caused by road closures further exacerbate an already delicate economic situation," said Coons.

"Upgrading and maintaining the Connector would not only facilitate the smooth movement of goods and services in times of need, it would also serve as a vital route for much needed economic development in this region through tourism."

The government maintains that residents along Highway 16 are used to periodic road closures and Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon has said that upgrading the Cranberry Connector is too costly to consider.

"It's insulting and demeaning for Transportation Minister Falcon to suggest that we are used to such road closures and should simply accept this level of social and economic disruption," said Coons.

"If the Campbell government can find billions of dollars for road upgrades in the Lower Mainland and Whistler, and billions to spend on a two-week Olympic binge, then surely they can find the money to put towards vital transportation infrastructure in the North."

Meanwhile, Skeena MLA Robin Austin and Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen are calling for federal assistance for those who have had their homes damaged.

"The minister (Solicitor General John Les) should be on the phone today, getting assurances that the communities in this region will get the help they need from the federal government," said Austin.

He added that the provincial government needs to step up to the plate as well. Despite improvements to dikes this spring, more work needs to be done.

"Studies show that there needs to be additional investments of $35 to $40 million per year for the next several years to ensure that all dike systems in the province are up to the task," said Austin. "The provincial government has known about this problem, but has been too slow to respond."

Cullen also said it takes too long for the federal government to announce assistance in crisis situations, and the Conservative government must reassure anxious residents and business owners that help is on the way.

"Why wait to reassure people?" asked Cullen. "In major floods of the past decade, the federal government took nearly a week to announce aid. Time is needed to make full assessments after waters recede, but as people are packing up their belongings and moving to higher ground, the government should be telling them that financial help is on the way."