Survey asks Okanagan motorists about new road maintenance provider’s performance

Are you concerned about the safety of road maintenance conditions this winter? The British Columbia Government Employees Union says it is — and it is asking for B.C. motorists in the Central and South Okanagan for some input.

Members of the BCGEU created a survey and posted it to the organization's Facebook page offering participants a chance to win a $200 gas card.

Among other things, the survey asks respondents how often they travel Okanagan highways maintained by Acciona Infrastructure Maintenance. The highways contractor took over the maintenance of South and Central Okanagan roads last spring.

"Recently, BCGEU members maintaining the highways in the Okanagan have heard concerns about the state of the highways in their communities – particularly around slow response times during storms or snowfalls. Highways members take pride in their work and understand the importance of keeping roads clear and safe, particularly in the winter, and we’re conducting this survey to get a sense of how widespread these concerns are,” BCGEU President Stephanie Smith said in an email statement today, Dec. 28.

Smith said keeping roads safe relies on a number of factors, including experienced staff and quality equipment to get the job done.

“BCGEU members working in highway maintenance are committed to keeping the roads as safe as they can with the equipment provided,” Smith said.

The survey also asks for motorists’ opinions on the contractor’s work since they took over in May, 2019.

The BCGEU survey can be found here.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to tips@infonews.ca and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.