Skip to content

Editorial: Youbou community wants pavement, not bypass

The community has spoken loud and clear.
8337677_web1_Youbou-dust1
Dust from trucks continues to be a problem in Youbou. (Gazette file)

The community has spoken loud and clear.

A packed meeting to gauge public opinion on the idea of TimberWest putting in a bypass road to cut Youbou out of the main trucking route for logging trucks, ostensibly to solve the problem of mud and dust choking the roadway and part of the community, was well nigh unanimous, we hear.

People expressed their displeasure with the notion of a bypass road. Not because the mud and dust problem is a non-issue, but because they believe there is a better, less expensive solution.

And they don’t want to see the mountainside logged, which they feel would be a byproduct of a bypass road going in.

Residents are correct about the better, less expensive solution.

As several have said, to correct the dust problem, the roadway in question could be paved for several kilometres outside of the community. TimberWest indeed addressed this idea at the meeting, garnering approval from those gathered. The truck wash could be moved to where the pavement starts.

The dust and mud is caused by the trucks travelling along unpaved dirt and gravel roadway. They stir up, collect, and track this stuff into town.

And it is a significant problem.

Some residents have to keep windows and doors perpetually closed so they are not choked by the dust when it’s dry. Imagine hanging out the laundry, only to see it enveloped in a huge cloud of dirt so think it’s like pea soup fog. It is terrible for those with respiratory problems. Forget trying to keep anything outdoors clean. Not much fun for a barbecue.

Then, when it rains, the fine particulate turns into mucky soup coating everything.

A truck wash that was installed several years ago has not solved the issue. Something more does need to be done.

One of the problems with getting the truck wash installed was the fight over jurisdiction and who was going to pay.

The paved portion of the road is provincial jurisdiction, while the gravel portion is TimberWest. The people look to their regional district to advocate for their interests as a community.

So who would pay for the paving?

Stay tuned. We haven’t heard the last of any of this.