Tanker was travelling on closed road in Lemon Creek spill
By Kyra Hoggan
Ministry of Transportation spokesperson Kate Trotter told The Source today that the road on which the Lemon Creek jet fuel spill happened was closed, and the driver would have had to detour around ‘road closed’ signs to end up where he did.
“The first 360 metres of Lemon Creek Road from Highway 6 is currently maintained and receives regular winter and summer maintenance,” she said via email today. “At the end of this maintained portion there is a cul de sac that provides an opportunity to turn around. There is also a ‘Road Closed Ahead’ sign indicating that the road is closed (two kilometres) further up the road. The sign also indicates that this cul de sac is the end of the maintained portion of the public road. (Two kilometres) further up the road there is another sign indicating that the road is closed beyond that point.
“The tanker spill occurred beyond the ‘Road Closed’ sign on the unmaintained, closed section of the road,” she added. “The signs referenced here are in very good condition and visible to all road users.”
Trotter also said the driver took a wrong turn and, “did not intend to travel on this road”.
The Source was unable to reach Executive Flight Centre (the owners of the tanker) for comment at this time.
