Drivers slam North Okanagan highways maintenance in letters to province

It's winter in Canada. There's snow on the highways. And there are the inevitable complaints over road maintenance.

Drivers' misfortunes can often be blamed on their own behaviour behind the wheel, but voices appear to be rising – again – about the condition of roads in the rural North Okanagan.

In a social media post, Angie Clowry says she has emailed Minister of Transportation Rob Fleming, Premier David Eby, Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu, AIM Roads and local mayors over recent highway conditions between Lumby, Vernon and Kelowna.

Clowry claims authorities don't "give two hoots" about the safety of road users and that there are fewer pieces of machinery assigned to the North Okanagan-Shuswap than under previous maintenance contract holders.

"We've all complained for far too long with two things happening – F-all and nothing," she says.

Clowry witnessed a crash Sunday on Highway 97 south of Vernon before that day's snowfall, and says snow and ice was still on the highway from the previous storm.

"You are creating additional work for (paramedics), fire rescue, hospital staff and tow trucks," says Clowry. "You are putting everyone's life on the line while adding (pressure) to resources that are already understaffed and overworked.

Clowry says it's time politicians demand foreign-owned AIM "invest in the machines and the manpower it requires."

She says maintenance "went to s**t since AIM took over" and its contract should be pulled. Also, that road conditions noticeably improve where AIM's service boundaries end.

Sandhu responded, saying her staff have been "reporting all concerns brought to our office to the attention of both the Ministry of Transportation and AIM Roads."

She asked that information on specific problem area be emailed to her, "and I will have my team escalate your concerns."

Mabel Lake area resident Rita Romei also wrote to government expressing dissatisfaction with road clearing

"Enduring poor service, listening to frequent complaints or anecdotes from neighbours and family members as well as constant dialogue over social media feels hopeless," Romei says.

She said she was finally writing about a 2020 accident on Shuswap River Drive "due to persistent frustration and a lack of improvement on the part of AIM."

Her vehicle was written off in the collision in icy, unsanded conditions.

"Although winter conditions contributed to the accident, the outcome could have easily been prevented if adequate maintenance had been provided," Romei writes.

"Since 2020, when AIM was first contracted, drivers have experienced horrendous winter driving conditions due to minimal and often no maintenance. Both AIM and the Ministry of Transportation are guilty of mismanagement. B.C. drivers should not have to endure higher premiums and pay for the cost of increased claims as a result. Most importantly, we should not feel threatened to make the choice to travel our roads."

A ministry spokesperson responded to the claims, saying: "Highway maintenance is one of the most important services we provide. People's safety is our top priority.

"During winter storms, maintenance service levels are prioritized based on road type and use. Higher volume corridors receive the highest level of service with the goal of reducing severity and duration of winter conditions where travel speeds are highest, secondary passes on side roads typically follow closely behind the completion of numbered routes.

"The ministry continuously monitors the performance of its maintenance contractors to ensure the high standards set out in the maintenance agreements are met. Where issues are noted, ministry staff work with the contractor to ensure contributing factors are determined and rectified."

Contractors are required to monitor and respond to changing conditions and deploy enough workers, equipment and material to get the job done, the ministry adds.

Motorists are encouraged to report safety concerns to AIM at 1-866-222-4204 or use its online service request form.

"This provides valuable feedback and allows the contractor to respond in timely manner," the ministry says.

"As always, it is important to note that winter driving conditions can persist even with ongoing maintenance and drivers should ensure they are equipped with good winter tires and adjust speeds to conditions."

The ministry did not address questions about the number of complaints this winter. AIM, meanwhile, routinely defers comment to the ministry.