Okanagan roads top worst in British Columbia

KELOWNA, B.C. – Potholes, crumbling pavement and pedestrian safety: all reasons voters have chosen five Okanagan roadways as the worst in B.C.

Silver Star Road, Westside Road in three locations between Vernon and West Kelowna, and Cosens Bay Road in Coldstream round out the top ten list published by BCAA.

While Westside Road, a winding road beside Okanagan Lake, has topped the list for several years. But the top position, as voted on at BCAA’s website, goes to the route from Vernon to Silver Star Mountain.

“Votes tripled this year,” according to Ken Cousins, BCAA’s associate vice president of Road Assist. “This says to me that British Columbians want a way to express their road frustrations and appreciate the opportunity to have their say.”

Cousins says the vote is about safety and helping raise awareness of problem roads.

“For drivers, pedestrians or cyclists, it’s about being mindful, following the rules of the road and watching your behaviour,” says Cousins.

The information from the BCAA on-line survey will be shared with “municipalities, the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and other road authorities to encourage improvements”, according to the press release from the BCAA Burnaby office.

While potholes on Silver Star and Westside roads were the biggest concern, complaints from voters about potholes are decreasing in recent years according to BCAA.

Traffic congestion concerns are up 10 per cent, from 14 per cent to 24 per cent.