UPDATE 3:15 p.m. Wednesday —
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) says a traffic engineer recently investigated Walker’s complaints about the dark intersection of Pumphouse Road and Highway 97 and determined the existing lighting in the area is sufficient.
“In situations when the ministry determines lighting is not warranted, local government can apply to install streetlights on the highway with a permit,” says Sonia Lowe, a spokesperson for MOTI, in an email statement.
Lowe says the ministry has worked with the Okanagan Falls Irrigation District in the past and is opened to discussing streetlight installations in the future.
OKANAGAN FALLS — Melody Walker wants to shed light on a dark intersection. Walker says the area near Highway 97 and Pumphouse Road has poor visibility during dusk and night, which is putting lives at risk.
“There’s no lighting from Railroad Lane to the bridge. This entire area is dark,” she says. “This immediate area has had numerous close calls with pedestrians, cyclists, pets and wildlife.”
She believes the problem has a simple solution: add a street lamp.
Since Okanagan Falls is unincorporated, it’s the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s responsibility for overseeing this, but so far, it has not responded to her.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has tried advocating for her.
But Walker believes it is a serious issue.
Back in April when thieves broke into her sheds, officers responded but couldn’t find her driveway because it was too dark.
“I’m concerned about emergency services finding us.”
But walker says she’s most concerned about the safety of people and wildlife because she often witnesses pedestrians jaywalking the busy road. She’s also seen deer getting hit.
She’s been told that a nearby street lamp, about 50 metres away, is bright enough to illuminate the area of concern but she disagrees.
She fears for the worse if nothing gets done.
“We will have a death there if they don’t do something to remedy the visibility.”
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