Editor: Re: Linda Nash’s letter, ‘We must put knowledge about health into action’ (the Times Jan 5).
In response to Ms. Nash’s letter that suggests that 200 Street intersection is a problem for truckers — and yet they use it with frequency.
Yes, they endorse a plan for another route. 192 Street has been considered, but doesn’t meet the criteria for a major interchange. It has been looked at and denied.
Ms. Nash’s mission as a “health advocate” is great, but she considers existing schools that are right beside major routes of transportation, like Willoughby Elementary school on 208 Street not to be an issue or concern. Nicomekl School on 200 Street is another consideration.
All children and all schools on major routes deserve to have lighter traffic beside them, hence the value of a new route into Walnut Grove via 216 Street interchange and a new option for Highway 1 traffic to get on and off the freeway.
This may balance out some of the existing heavy traffic on 208 Street and 200 Street.
As far as “truck route” designation, any trucks can take any route that is closest to their destination whether designated or not. They are not ticketed for using an alternate route.
A designated “truck route” in the TOL gets additional funding from the province for safety features and maintenance.
Walnut Grove and the 216 Street interchange area north of the freeway is the only spot in the TOL that has received additional funding from the TOL (our tax dollars) for expansion of the scope of work to include improved walkways, pedestrian and crossing facilities and a noise attenuation wall for traffic mitigation from the interchange — millions of dollars, in fact.
I think Ms. Nash could consider the deferential treatment she and her neighbors in Walnut Grove are receiving from us, the taxpayers.
J. Jansen,
Langley