This is not a letter of complaint regarding road maintenance, on the contrary I think the boys, (or girls,) do a great job keeping the highway between Salmo and Trail clean and in good winter condition.
This letter concerns the attitude of a certain operator on Friday, January 10.
On our way to Trail at approximately 10:30 a.m. we overtook a double rollback plough, or to be more accurate a huge lineup of traffic following behind.
The truck was, of course, “left of centre” in order to accommodate the width of the unit.
Once over the railroad tracks at Fruitvale there was a perfect wide patch. Common courtesy would have had the driver pull in and let the 40 plus vehicles behind me pass safely, but he continued doggedly on.
Vehicles were blowing horns and attempting to pass — a perfect setup for an accident. Before somebody says, “you do not understand,” I would hasten to add that I have had 14 years plowing snow, seven with the ministry in Kaslo and seven under private contractor in Oliver. We were always instructed to present as little a hazard as possible to the travelling public.
Anarchist mountain was in our territory, a challenge in itself at times.
I think that the foreman in charge of the Bombie turnoff to Trail would do well to have a little talk with the operator of the unit in question.
Bill Richens
Salmo