Dear Editor,
Re: We must put knowledge about health into action, Langley Advance, Linda Nash letter, Jan 5.
In response to Ms. Nash’ letter that suggests that 200th Street intersection is a problem for truckers, and yet they use it with frequency.
Yes, they endorse a plan for another route.
192nd Street has been considered but doesn’t meet the criteria for a major interchange. It has been looked at and denied.
Ms. Nash’ mission as a “health advocate” is great, but she considers existing schools that are right beside major routes of transportation, like Willoughby School on 208th Street not to be an issue or concern. Nicomekl School on 200th 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 216th 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 208th Street and 200th 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 [Township of Langley] gets additional funding from the province for safety features and maintenance.
Walnut Grove and the 216th 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 her and her neighbors in Walnut Grove are receiving from us, the taxpayers.
J. Jansen, via email