Will MOTI improve Alice Lake Road and Highway intersection this year ? May be

Turning on to the Sea to Sky Highway from Alice Lake Road can summon morbid thoughts and a mounting sense of dread every summer as the  “accident waiting to happen” chorus starts and reaches a crescendo on social media.

Two years ago, a local resident, Kerry Gray, launched a petition asking the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to install traffic lights on the Alice Lake intersection.

The petition was signed by nearly 1,500 people, and former Mayor Karen Elliott even wrote to the Transportation Minister asking for improvements on this intersection. Will the Ministry do something to make things safe at this notorious intersection this year ? May be.

In a statement issued to Squamish Reporter, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure said they are aware of local concerns about traffic at the Alice Lake Road and Highway 99 intersection. MOTI acknowledged that this is busiest during summer when many people visit the provincial park and campground.

“A full engineering and traffic review of this intersection and section of Highway 99 is planned to be conducted later this year,” MOTI said. “This review will allow for an informed decision to be made on possible intersection improvements, including accounting for varying traffic volumes throughout the year.”

That is what the Ministry said in 2021 as well, with a slight variation of words. Here was the response to a query by Squamish Reporter two years ago.

“The ministry is aware and seeking solutions to the public’s concern regarding access to the Alice Lake Provincial Park, especially during the busy summer months.” “Currently, ministry staff are reviewing what options would be the safest before moving on with the design work of the Highway 99/Alice Lake Road intersection.”

The Alice Lake Road and Highway 99 intersection saw 56 accidents from 2017 to 2021.