Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier I spoke about the lack of lighting and signage signals at the highway crossing to the health centre in Hay River. The Minister said that there's, "A ton of signs." I just sent a scout out. There is one sign.
---Laughter
This is a description of what the sign does, "To warn road users making a turn that they will encounter a highway/rail grade crossing soon after making a turn." It says nothing about pedestrians. There are actually two signs. There's another sign indicating that's a new sign. There's one of those coming from each direction.
My point is there's really nothing you can see from a distance. There's not this barrage of signs that the Minister indicated. So can we get something? Can we get one of those solar-powered signs with words indicating, slow down, there might be pedestrians crossing here? Can we at least do that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Public Works and Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I remember correctly, I said earlier today that I would look at putting some kind of lighting up there. So I will look into and get back to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
When can the people of Hay River expect to see their new signage installed?
Do you mean signage or do you mean lighting? Lighting, we've committed to having up here as soon as the ground thaws out. I have never said I was going to commit to new signage. I said we would look at putting up a temporary light to get us through until we can put the lighting system in once the ground thaws out, Mr. Speaker. Any relevant signage that would be imposed on the highways is based on the Traffic Act that we have to impose and put up traffic signs there, so whatever needed signage is there will be in place when the lights are put up.
I'm glad we got a commitment to put some lighting up there. Now I'm looking for a commitment to put some additional signage up there so that people coming down the highway are aware that there are pedestrians possibly crossing?
As I said, we'll have to look into the Highway Traffic Act and, whatever signage is required to have with a lighting system that crosses the public highway, we will install it.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So is the Minister content with inadequate signage at this point and the bare minimum signage at some point in the future as he's committed to installing? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Friendly times. As I've said, I've committed to putting up a temporary lighting system there. We will look after any signage that is needed as per the Highway Traffic Act, and we will make sure that is in place as soon as possible.
Members, I would like to draw your attention to members in the public gallery. We have David Krutko, a former Member, former Speaker, former Minister. Welcome to our Assembly. Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
