Transportation and Works
November 12, 2010
New Signs to Enhance Driver Safety in Wreckhouse Area
Motorists travelling on the province's west coast will be able to
make more informed decisions about travelling through the Wreckhouse
area with the installation of new digital signs. Signs have been
installed at each end of this section of the Trans-Canada Highway which
is known for extreme wind conditions.
"High winds in the Wreckhouse area have always caused problems for
travellers," said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of
Transportation and Works. "There have been many cases in the past where
tractor trailers, recreational and other vehicles have literally been
blown off the highway. The new signs we have installed will give
motorists up to date flashing warnings about wind conditions in the
Wreckhouse area when wind speeds and other factors reach certain
thresholds."
The new digital signs are designed to display various messages to
advise motorists of wind conditions in the Wreckhouse area. One sign is
located near the Visitor Information Centre, just outside Channel-Port
aux Basques. The other is approximately 47 kilometres east of
Channel-Port aux Basques near Mollichignick River Bridge in the Codroy
Valley.
"People of the region know all too well the dangerous wind conditions
that can develop in the Wreckhouse area," said the Honourable Joan
Burke, MHA for St. George's-Stephenville East. "Our government has
installed these signs in an effort to warn drivers of high wind
conditions before they proceed along this section of highway. They will
be of benefit to all motorists travelling in this area."
Data relating to factors such as wind speed and direction is provided
by a nearby Environment Canada weather station and is updated every 10
minutes. Depending on the weather conditions, the signs will flash one
of five messages. These will range from warnings to motorists about high
wind speeds, when appropriate, to general messages regarding impaired
driving, the use of hand-held mobile devices and winter driving
conditions.
"People of the region have been wanting to see a warning system such
as this put in place to warn drivers of the potential for very high
winds along this section of the highway," said Brian Button, Mayor of
Channel-Port aux Basques. "The installation of these signs will be of
great benefit to residents of the province travelling in the area as
well as non-residents who are not familiar with the potential for
dangerous wind conditions. I am very pleased that this need has been
addressed."
The total cost of these new signs is approximately $100,000 and they
are expected to be fully operational within the next 48 hours.
"We certainly appreciate the great cooperation we have received from
Environment Canada which has graciously agreed to share its wind speed
data with us and even undertook significant upgrades to its own weather
station to assist with this project," said Minister Hedderson. "This is
a great initiative that will improve the safety of the travelling public
and that I think motorists will very much appreciate as they travel
through this region."
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