After second fatal crash this year, Langford’s mayor wants barriers installed on section of TCH immediately

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WATCH: The provincial government announced barriers for a section of the Trans-Canada Highway in 2016 but work never started and two people have died there so far this year. April Lawrence reports.

A crumpled Acura was barely recognizable after a head-on crash with a BMW on the Trans-Canada Highway Sunday afternoon. The driver, a 24-year-old Nanaimo man, was killed and his two passengers were seriously hurt.

“The occupants of the BMW didn’t report any significant injuries so they’re very lucky,” said West Shore RCMP Const. Nancy Saggar.

It comes less than a month after another fatal on the same stretch of highway. A man in his 70s died after two SUV’s crashed head-on, on Jan. 8.

Langford Mayor Stew Young says he wants to see improvements to the road immediately.

“You can’t leave it the way it is, not after this, just doesn’t make sense,” he said. “We’re sending out a letter today to do an emergency measure here and put in the barriers right away if we can.”

The small winding section of the TCH, between Leigh Road and Westshore Parkway, is one of few remaining without barriers. The RCMP say there have been nearly 80 crashes there in the past two years and they’re joining calls for safety improvements.

“What’s needed is a slow down particularly in that area as well as barriers,” said Saggar.

It’s something the Liberal government also felt strongly about in 2016. The Transportation Minister at the time, Todd Stone, announced barriers for the two-kilometre stretch and an additional northbound lane.

“You dramatically reduce collision and fatalities when you put up median barrier and you have four lanes,” he told reporters at the time.

Work was supposed to start in 2017 or 2018 yet there are still no signs of any progress. Young says he’s had enough of studies and talk.

“Those are our first responders and those are families that need to be protected when you’re driving up and down the highway,” he said.

He’s writing a letter to Premier John Horgan and Transportation Minister Claire Trevena, urging them to start installing barriers next week.

April LawrenceApril Lawrence

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