The Ministry of Transportation is still awaiting the results of a planning study on potential safety improvements for the Hart Highway (Highway 97 North) in Prince George.
This comes following a fatal pedestrian collision on Highway 97 near Kenworth Road that claimed one life on Wednesday (December 13th).
The province says it regularly reviews all highways for safety and effectiveness as the study covers the entire Highway 97 corridor from 5th Avenue to Christopher Road, focusing on safety for all types of road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, and vehicles.
According to the ministry, about 20,000 vehicles per day travel on that section of the highway (Highway 97 corridor from 5th Avenue to Christopher Road).
The Hart Highway in Prince George has seen numerous fatal or near-fatal motor vehicle incidents over the past two years.
On November 4th 2021, a pedestrian was killed during a motor vehicle incident along the Hart Highway near the Chevron Gas Station.
Just over three weeks later, a vehicle struck two pedestrians on the southbound lane of the Hart Highway, near Shady Lane.
The RCMP noted in this file one of the pedestrians was sent to Vancouver for further assessment.
In August of 2022, the Prince George RCMP blocked off both lanes of the Hart Highway northbound at Noranda Road following a serious incident involving a pickup truck near Monterey Road.
Police reopened the road and the vehicle’s two occupants were transported to hospital with unknown injuries.
A month later (September 2022), a blue Pontiac Torrent crossed the centre median and collided with a logging truck along the Hart Highway near Weisbrod Road, claiming a life.
“The driver of the Pontiac Torrent did not survive the incident, while the single passenger was transported to hospital in critical condition,” said Cpl. Jennifer Cooper.
“The driver of the logging truck was not seriously injured. Police closed the highway for several hours while an RCMP Collision Reconstructionist attended to gather evidence from the area.”
A day later, Mounties put out a call looking to speak with witnesses to this incident.
In addition, police launched an investigation into a pedestrian hit-and-run that resulted in the death of an unborn child.
On December 17th, 2022, the RCMP were sent to Highway 97 North and Noranda Road on a call saying someone had been hit by a vehicle.
Other people on the road were giving the woman first aid when police arrived on the scene, she was then transported to the hospital in serious condition.
“It is with sadness we report the woman’s unborn child did not survive the incident; the mother is currently in stable condition,” said Corporal Jenn Cooper in a news release.
At the time, police were searching for a 2014-2017 Ford F350 that may have been involved in the fatal collision.
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
