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By Pete McIntyre
Vision Zero grants

North Okanagan communities get grants for road safety upgrades

May 14, 2024 | 11:00 AM

A number of North Okanagan communities and First Nations are getting funding from the province for road safety projects.

It’s part of $866,000 in Vision Zero grants that have been announced for 56 communities to help prevent road-related injuries and deaths.

“The Vision Zero grants go a long way to prioritizing safety and well-being on our roads,” Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, said. “By investing in innovative solutions and community-driven initiatives, we not only aim to prevent collisions but also cultivate a culture of responsibility and care. Together, let us strive toward a future where zero lives are lost due to preventable road collisions.”

Here are the local communities getting funding:

City of Armstrong

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This project will use pseudo-permanent methods that reduce speeds, improve pedestrian comfort, reduce pedestrian crossing times and delays, and improve overall sightlines for drivers. Funding: $15,000

Splatsin

Create a pseudo-protected walking strip to prevent pedestrians from having to share the road with vehicles. Funding: $15,000

City of Enderby

This project will collect critical traffic data to inform future plans using speed radar and may have a flashing speed sign put up in a high-risk school area. Funding: $7,000

Okanagan Indian Band

This project will use the funds to hire a road safety consultant to create a road safety plan around the new school and community hub being built. Funding: $12,000

Shuswap Band
This project will improve an existing crosswalk to increase safety for vulnerable road users. Funding: $8,212

The funding was provided through health authorities to local governments, non-government organizations (e.g., school districts, parent advisory councils, road safety advocacy groups, etc.) and Indigenous communities to help them plan projects that increase the safety outcomes of vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists, roadside workers, etc.) by improving the safety of roads.

by Pete McIntyre
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