FROM THE MINISTER Road Runner nthe last three months, I Road Runner is the employee have had an opportunity to newsletter for travel the province. My trips Ministry of Transportation and I have taken me to the Northwest Highways. It is produced and Regionto see, first-hand , therav­ published quarterly by the Public ages of Mother Nature in her as­ Affairs Branch. Published articles sault on major highways in that appearing in RoadRunner may be area; to the Central Northeast, reprinted only with permission of Kootenay and Thompson/Okana­ the Editor. gan Regions to explain the pro­ Editor: Betty Nicholson cess indeveloping theTransporta­ Editorial Assistant: Sharon Lund tion Plan; to the South Coast Re­ gion to open the Pacific Direct enquiries to: International Auto Show and to Road Runner meet Regional managers; to the Ministry of Transportation Vancouver Island Region for the and Highways WESTAC Annual Conference and sistance and wholehearted sup­ Public Affairs the recent meeting of the Associ ­ port. Thank you. SA-940 Blanshard Street ation of Vancouver Island Victoria, B.C. Municipalities. The Honourable Neil Vant V8W 3E6 In all areas, input fromMinistry Minister employees has been tremendous­ Transportation andHighways ly positive. I appreciate your as-

FROM THE DEPUTY MINISTER In This Issue he lastthree months were Messages from the extremely busy for Minis­ Minister and the T try staff. This past winter Deputy Minister 2 has been agoodreminder of what Regional secretariesmeet 3 winter is all about - heavy snow­ Bruce McKeown discusses falls , fluctuations in temperature, planning and major projects .3 abnormal weather conditions. The process of building a new With Spring just around the cor­ highway 4 ner, I wantto take thisopportunity Letters 5 to thank you for a job well done Long service ...... 5 under stressful circumstances. Privatization progress report .. 6 In bringing you up-to-date on On the front lines with our the status of the Ministryreorga­ avalanche section 8 nization, I am pleased to report Telecommunications branch 9 that over 100 jobs have been Before &. after bluffs 9 posted since the beginning of the Radio room operators 10 year.Almost fortyof these areasa The process islengthy and I ap­ School presentation brings the directresult of thereorganization. preciate your patience during the traffic to the kids 11 I expect a great percentage of lastsix months. A new look in signing 12 management level positions will Vince Collins, In the past 13 be filled within the next few In the field 14 Deputy Mini"., I months as newpostings arebeing Transportation andHighways Profile 16 advertised each week. 2 FROM THE EDITOR

hisisoursecond edition of bies that we can interview and Bruce McKeown the newly designed Road profile. Anything at all that you T Runneh I hope that you thinkwill beof interest, we would Discusses Planning find the contents both interesting like to hear about. If you have and informative. As we have ob­ questions about the Ministry ­ served before, ourMinistryis un­ policies, plans, procedures, etc. and Major Projects dergoing many profound long­ - don't hesitate to ask usfor the term changes, so there is always facts. We will endeavour to pub­ news these days about newinitia­ lish answers for you in future tives and plans, along with on­ issues. I ~ goingprograms, to pass along to In this issue, we have included you. stories about some very interest­ I have appreciated your com­ ing people doingimportant work ments and suggestions for the throughout the province, as well Road Runner, and would liketo en­ as some detailed information courage youto send more, Please about major programs presently let us know about any special underway and upcoming. events coming up in your region , Thank-you for reading! Please ortip usoff about employees with be in touch. interesting talents, jobs or hob- BettyNicholson

REGIONAL SECRETARIES MEET Bruce McKeown

For the first time in the history of cedures thatcould bestreamlined ver the last several "There have always been forms the Ministry, Regional secretaries or standardized in order to in­ months, the Ministry of project management in the gathered together this month for crease efficiency. By the end of O has increased the em­ Ministry",hesays. "but theywere a day at Headquarters. Their ma­ the day, each secretary felt the phasis on transportation planning not well developed. Lines of re­ jor goal was to discuss concerns wholeprocess had been extreme­ and strengthened ourplanning ca­ sponsibility were not clear and relating to their roles in the new ly worthwhile and informative. pability, both in the regional of­ there was inadequate control of organization and to identify pro- fices and at Headquarters. budgets and scope changes over The Headquarters Planning Di­ the multi-year life of major pro­ vision is under the direction of jects. Another majorproblem was Bruce McKeown, Assistant Depu­ the compartmentization of func­ ty Minister Planning and Major tions; planning, design, land ac­ Projects. This division is responsi ­ quisition, and construction. A key ble for developing and refining principle now is to place the re­ transportation strategies, poli­ sponsibility for all facets of the cies, programs and priorities, and projectwith one person whoisac­ provides a consistent framework countable for the overall for transportation planning being program." conducted ineach Region. The Di­ vision is composed of two Branches, Highway Planning and Major Projects Planning Services. "A number of major projects will Inaddition, Mr McKeown is re­ bemanaged out of Victoria, each Regional secretaries: From left to right (standing): Gwen Gordy, Central sponsible for the management of one in excess of $50million, with Northeast in Prince George; Cathy MacDonald, Vancouver Island in Nan­ major highway projects and the planning, design and construction eimo, Pauline Thomas, Thompson/Okanagan inKamloops; Bernice Lindal, development of Project manage­ spanning multiple years, and oth­ South Coast in Burnaby, (Seated): Karen Shephard, ActingRegional Man­ ment techniques and systems in er complexities. " ager, Financial Services, Nanaimo; Thelma Campbell, Northwestin Ter­ use both at Headquarters and The first of these projects - and race; Maureen McCrae, Kootenays in Nelson. Regions. one which will serve as a proto-

3 type - has been the Okanagan • Vancouver Island follow. Ross Coates is the Project ning at the regions, program de­ velopment, policy, and project Connector, which will connect The Highway Director. Coquihalla Highway to Peachland planning in support of major pro­ This very large package (With a in theOkanagan Valley, consider­ jects. This work will be the re­ $600million-plus budget) of Van­ • Burnaby Freeway ablyreducing thedrivingtimebe­ Gregg Singer is also responsible sponsibility of Glen McDonald, couver Island Highway improve­ tween Vancouver and the Okana­ fordeveloping astrategy to maxi­ who has recently been appointed ments was announced last No­ gan. Gregg Singer is the Project to theposition of Executive Direc­ vember. The work will include mize the Transportation capacity Director; under Gregg is the Pro­ of the Burnaby Freeway between tor of Transportation Planning." upgrading the Pat Bay Highway jectManager Rob Ahola. The cost McDonald has two branches un­ (between Swartz Bay and Victo­ the Cassiar Connector and the of the projectis $225 million. der hisdirection - Highway Plan­ ria) and a portion of the Trans­ Port Mann Bridge area of the Trans-Canada Highway. ning and Planning Services - as Canada Highway (justnorthof the well as foursenior policyadvisors Capital city) to freeway standard , "OVERALL and a legislative officer. the balance of the Trans-Canada Planning These transport advisors (Ma­ MANAGEMENT IS "Planning has previously been pri­ Highway to Nanaimo being up­ rine, Air, Rail/Pipeline and High­ marily a headquarters function in THE KEY" graded to expressway standard. way), areeach responsible for de­ Around Nanaimo and North to the Ministry", McKeown com­ veloping policies for these Campbell River anewinland high­ ments, "but we are shifting the modes. Their staff will carry out "We're aiming to complete the emphasis. There will now be a way will bebuilt to freeway stan­ research , provide advice and project in the fall of 1990", dards. The scope of the various planning function built into the monitor trends in their particular McKeown says. "Our original tar­ components iscurrently being de­ structure of each region, to be mode. A branch legislative officer get was 1991 , but, following di­ more responsive to local consid­ fined , planning and preliminary will provide material relating to rection to expedite completion, it design are underway, cost esti­ erations. Each region will have a legislation. is now Fall 1990. New manage­ mates and schedules being con­ Manager of Planning. ment techniques have made it firmed. BillWeir has been retained "The planning inVictoria will re­ The Highway Piannlng Branch easier to achieve the earlier date, as Project Director with Project focus its scope with emphasis on has fourworking areas: and with ourprojectmanagement Manager Richard James from the establishing aframework forplan- • Program Planning - with over- system we are confident we have Ministry. The program is targeted fullcontrol of allcostand schedul­ to complete in 1996. ing implications. THE PROCESS OF BUILDING A NEW HIGHWAY "The director knows the status • Cassiar Connector Building a highway is not as simple as some would like to of the project at all times, espe­ This $85 million project in East think. Listed here are thevarious steps leading to thecomple­ cially with thecash flow situation. Vancouver will upgrade 2.3 kmof tion of a new highway system: He is responsible for the whole the Trans-Canada Highway be­ cost of delivery in accordance tween the Second Narrows I . Request for Capital Project 8. Utility relocation with the overall and the yearly Bridge to the Freeway in Burnaby 2. Determine design standards 9. Schedule construction budgets. This is a major change to full freeway standard . Two ma­ 3. Preliminary design 10. Obtain funding approval frompast years, when theempha­ jor interchanges will beconstruct­ A. Aerial photography of 11. Tender sis was annual. " ed as well asa 730 m tunnel for a proposed new section 12. Construction Phase Othermajor projects described portion of the freeway to mini­ B. Develop construction A. Clear and grub land by McKeown include: mize impacts on the adjacent alternatives and B. Blasting (if required) community. The consulting firmof variations on routing C. Build roadbed, curbs • Okanagan Fenco Lavalin is responsible for C. Estimate costs and gutters or pullouts, Highway 97 the project management. Project D. Collect wide range of etc. A series of major improvements completion is scheduled for late related data D. Construct bridges, and highway widenings will take 1991. L Conduct environmental culverts, retaining walls place here to serve growingtraffic and social impact L Pave patterns. Two jobsareunderway, • "Sea-to-Sky" studies F. Manage traffic during one inVernon (the32nd Street ex­ Highway 99 - Horseshoe Bay to F. Evaluate alternatives construction with tension), the second in Summer­ Squamish. This project is in the and choose optimum detours, etc. land (Widening the stretch of early stage now,with stafflooking 4. Soil Studies 13. Fence, sign, landscape, etc. Highway 97 fromBentley Road to at the mostadvantageous strate­ 5. Engineering survey 14. Open and schedule Trout Creek). Rodney Chapman is gy to improve the highway corri­ 6. Detailed design maintenance standards the Project Director. dor. Design and construction to 7. Property acquisition

4 view planning of the inter-region­ al trunk highway system , devel­ LETTERS opment of one and multi-year programs, and participationin in­ fAST AND fAIR MESSAGE fROM A STUDENTS LEARN ter-provincial and national high­ way studies. Dear Mr. Vant: TRAVELLER ABOUT TRAffiC Recently I sold my house and to • Project Planning - where thefo­ This little poem was written by SIGNALS close the sale I subdivided the cus is on individual projects, with one of the truck drivers who use propertyinto two parcels. On January 31 st, Wayne Keiser detailed site planning; often in our facilities on a regular basis. and Tony Hrykobrought thetraffic support of Major Projects. Before starting this venture, I signal light system to my school • Highway Planning - whose role had heard all sorts of comments There you areinyour glass for grade sixes to observe. istheprovisionof central services abou t how slow and uncoopera­ enclosure The two men were veryefficient in support of planning goingon in tive were the employees of the Protected from nature and in setting up the apparatus (With the Regions. Highways Ministry and the sys­ certain exposure. no disruption to the school) . • Municipal Programs - with re­ tem they represented. You are what we call a Toll Wayne's commentary to the stu­ sponsibility for cost-sharing and I want you to know this is not Booth Troll. dents was very good. He was policy programs related to trans­ true! I have found the employees Your job is to collecta cautious in using language they portation and highways in the responsive, to beswift, theircon­ highwaytoll. would understand. municipalities. cernsgenuine, theprocedures fair Through cold winternights Wayne and I had agreed to try The Planning Services Branch and equitable; in short this has andhot summer days this "primary display" on grade will be responsible for providing been amost interesting and pleas­ You are there to make certain sixes astheyhad justcompleted a required traffic information to all ant experience. that everyone pays. basic unit in electricity. The idea planning offices in headquarters Parti cularly I would like to recog­ To a weary driveryou're a was worthwhile as the students and in theregions. It has research nize these two employees: welcome sight were interested butelectronically, and analysis capabilities and will Mr. R.G. deGraff With a nice warm smile on a their knowledge is limited. As a administer the photolog District Planning Technician cold winters night. result, we would not attempt the inventory. Gibson , B.C. VON 1VO The job you're doing, you presentation with older elemen­ In summary, Bruce says of all probablyhate Mr. Harold Hunter tary students again. For primary these far-reach ing changes,"The But to all of us drivers, we Regional Approving Officer students, it is excellent. overall thrust is to put into place thinkyou'regreat. Burnaby, B.C. V3N 4N8 I appreciate Wayne 's flexiblllty an organization that can antici­ Yours truly, Chris inattempting to tryout theappa­ pate changing conditions, assess Coquihalla Toll Booth ratus on older students. Wayne ouroptions, recommend theopti­ Wayne Nesbitt should becommended forvisiting mum action program, and then ourschool aweek early inorderto deliver the approved program assess thefacilities needed forhis with tight compliance to estab­ demonstration. lished scope, budget and LONG SERVICE EMPLOYEES Tony's efforts in creating the schedule." model lamps and inassisting were Deputy Minister Vince Collins, RECOGNIZED much appreciated. in announcing the changes last I enjoyed meeting Tony and fall, said ,"The transportation On November 24, 56 longservice or boutonniere. Wayne . Thank you for allowing needs of British Columbia are employees weretreated to a 'so­ Double decker buses trans­ them to make a presentation at changing rapidly. A knowledge­ cial hour'in Victoria by theMinis­ ferred the honoured guests to our school. Their visit was defi­ able and effective Ministry isakey try, before heading to the dinner Government House and returned nitelyworthwhile. element in achieving desirable at Government House. Transpor­ them to theChateau Victoria after Yours sincerely, economic progress. Our organi­ the dinner. tation and Highways Minister Neil Chuck McNicholl zation 's efforts focus our re­ Vant welcomed everyone and The followingemployees, have Science Teacher sources to meet the many chal ­ reached thequarter-century or 35 congratulated all the employees DavidOppenheimer lenges in providing B.C. with a on thei r dedication to yearlevel with government: Elementary School \Vancouver first-dass transportation system. government. These changes will also provide Elaine Minnis, Brenda Tresidder Editors Note: Please see article many new career opportunities and Shirley Duncan of Personnel , Turn to p. 14 for our continuous on page 11 to learn more about and make our Ministrya reward ­ Headquarters , presented each service awards recipients in Electrical Branch's informative ing place to build a future." guest witharedcarnation corsage 1988 program. 5 Privatization Progress Report - The Contractor's View

Dave Senechal receiving key to Mainroad Contracting 'syard fromMLA for Delta, john Savage. From left: RodFru, President; Hon. , Ministerof Regional Development; Hon. john Savage; joe Wurz, Secretary-Treasurer; Bill Baker, DHH - LowerMainland; Dave Senechal; Bill Whittaker, U.P.

he privatization of road Then wedecided thatwemightas lerns", Senechal says. "There is chal says,"and this has been a and bridge maintenance is well make ourown jobs. too much traffic for day work, so whole new ballgame. But we're T now virtually complete, In "It was a lot of work. We still wedo a lot of it at night.Also, we overthehump now,and nobody's this issue, we present comments hada job to do with the govern­ have fiveswing bridges, whichno looking back. from former employees and con ­ ment. It took ayearor soto com­ one else has to deal with, and a "We have more control over tractors we contacted around the plete the process - a stressful huge number of signs in several our own destiny. Local control is province recently to get some year, to put it mildly. Afterwegot municipalities. We have the larg­ wonderful ; we can get answers sense of how they now see the rolling, three or fourmonths after est bridge crew in the province. and design solutions faster than moveinto privatization. privatization, things started to Wehave to use ouringenuity; our ever before. We inherited a lot These opinions obviously do turn around . People began making service program has to begood; that isvaluable fromgovernment. not represent any comprehensive suggestions about how we could wedoalot of careful planning and For instance, we feel we have one or final say on thematter- merely save money, courses we needed looking ahead. of the best preventive mainte­ some feedback at thisearly stage and licenses that had to be "We're working well with the nance programs in Canada; we'll of the game. renewed. contract managers. It's no longer keep it up. We have some of the best sanding equipment any­ Dave Senechal ­ "Morale and motivation areex­ a family, it's now a business, but cellent now. Most of us arevery westill have agood working rela­ where, and we'll stay with it. E.quipment Manager happy with the way things have tionship with them. " "It's exciting and interesting to Mainroad Contracting. gone. Wehave bid ona couple of According to Senechal , oper­ be able to go out and compete. New Westminster. jobs, and found that we can com­ ations meetings are held once a It's a greatway to keep our peo­ Mainroad - previously the New pete successfully against other month with foremen, contract plemotivated; theyfeel more ap­ Westminster District - is an em­ companies. We've been able to managers, the district highways preciated ; theycan see theirown ployee-owned groupof 140or so say,'Hey! Our workmanship is manager and the company's ex­ progress. Some of them are find­ partners who went into business better!'" ecutive group, to discuss " the ingcustomers forusontheirown; as a company on November I. Mainroad's three-year contract general situation, problems and we haven't had to advertise . Equipment Manager Dave Sene­ with theMinistryincludes bridge, solutions". Occasional share­ Some customers who arefamiliar chal had previously held theposi­ road and sign maintenance in the holdermeetings areheldas well ­ with ourworkknowthatwe know tion of Mechanical Foreman for old New Westminster District, a like the onelate in February - "to what we're doing. Wetake pride Delta and Cloverdale. verybigarea, with thelargest and let everybody know how it's inourwork,wealways have. Gov­ "It's been goingwell", hesays. busiest traffic flow in the going. ernment gaveme and others ex­ "It was a shock to startwith. We province. "Many of us have long exper­ cellent training, and we aren't thought we were all being fired! "We have a lot of special prob- ience with government", Sene- happy about losing that. 6 "Overall, however, we're really ment staff, they are the largest tions for theMinistryfor 14years, the future looks bright, and we enthusiastic about privatization. maintenance group in the prov- says that th ings have been want to keep it that way. " We'll be in business for years." ince in terms of manpower and "super. " equipment. "Weget agold starfrom every- Don Neilson - Vice- Ken Smith - Road We spoke with Gordon Shan- bodyI talkto", hesays,"CBC Ra- President Capilano dio called usa prime example of Foreman, Trendline non, Vice-President Operations, Highways Services Co, the success of the new privatiza- Industries, Cranbrook inmid February. Shannon had pre- viously been with Bel Construe- tion program. Capilano's contract mainte- Trendl ine is responsible for tion,aprivatecompany."How'sit "We aim to match or exceed nance area is the old North Van- bridge and road maintenance in going?" heresponded to our first past standards . If a problem /West Van - Squamish Whistler - the Cranbrook, Invermere and question. " Really well - if it arises , we check the contract to Pemberton area, now called the Fernie area. They went into busl- would stop snowing." see if we can do better. Moraleis Howe Sound Highways District. ness on October 20, with about Shannon describes theperiod prl- sky-high. We've assumed an ag- (The private company has just 100people on the payroll. or to privatization as "confusing gresslve, positive posture, and been awarded a three year con- " Lately, it's been excellent", and difficult." are getting better utilization of tract for the Sunshine Coast Dis- says Road Foreman Ken Smith, "The Ministry employees had equipment, despite the fact that trict effective, March 1, 1989). who held the same position pre- some heavy decisions to make it's been a record winter for pre- Capilano was a construction viously with the Ministry."It was prior to privatization", he says , cipitation. We're losing money company before taking over the very stressful at the beginning, "and a lot of people were feeling butwewon't lowerourstandards. road and bridge maintenance con- not knowing where we werego- pretty insecure. Once they got The financial situation will lrn- tracts on November 15. Accord- ing. It was hard on everybody. past the initial transition period, prove once the weather eases. ingto Vice-President Don Neilson Since October 20th, a great (who was not a Ministryemploy- weight has been lifted off all our ee before privatization) the com- shoulders . Enthusiasm is up; "It's exciting and interesting to be able to go pany hired about 75 percent of we'reincharge ourourowndestl- out and compete. It's a great way to keep our our former employees in the nies, and that's proved to be a Howe Sound area, bringing that powerful motivation." people motivated ... Overall we're really total staff complement to 80. Trendline is owned by the No- enthusiastic about privatization." "We survived the winter" Neil- hels Corporation of Sparwood , a son says, "whichwas quiteachal- construction company, with the lenge. Ournewmandate has been standard three-year Ministry things settled down nicely. Now "We've had some weird epl- a refreshing change for us as we contract. we're getting good public feed - sodes to deal with this winter. At werealways involved inhighways "Someotherwork has begun to back, and concentrating exclu- onepoint, we wouldget 20 cmof construction before. We've been come our way", Smith says,"and sively on our Highways contract. snow in the morning, then rain, helped greatly by the excellent wecan anticipate alot moreinthe Wehaven't got thetimeor thein- then freezing, creating tremen - crew that came over from the future. But these days, we're in- clination to look for other work dously severe maintenance Ministry. They have been super tent on doing a good job for the right now. problems. - verysupportive, providing lots government, and haven't really "Morale is better than it ever "But as I say, crew morale is of positive input and energy. much timefor anything else. Gen- was. Company relationships are a high. Less red tape, higher pay, We've been impressed with their erally,we'reveryhappy about the lot more personal ; theelimination local control, opportunities for skills and theyhave helped uslm- way it's going." of red tapeand theestablishment overtime - all this has helped. measurably in dealing with a of local control over day-to-day Gettingoutof thebureaucracy has rough winter. operations has been great." been very good for us. "We've taken on some other Gordon Shannon - Vice- "Sure, it was hard initially. We work, besides the contract with President Operations, Bel Mike ZyliCI - General took over on December 1, and I Highways - some vehicle and Maintenance Inc. (Nelson) Manager, North Coast lost a lot of sleep that week. So road maintenance, aswell as out- Road Maintenance Ltd., did a lot of ourother people." sidesnowploughing and we'll be Bel Maintenance is a privately- Terrace "Our relationship with the area bidding on smaller jobs for the owned company that assumed managers is excellent. Of course, municipalities astheyarise. We're the road and bridge maintenance North Coast has responsibility they are friends and colleagues in a stronger position than we've contract for the Kootenay Bound - for road and bridge maintenance fromtimes past; Wehaven 't taken ever been before, with the influx ary, Selkirk and Central Kootenay in the Skeena Highways District. onany otherworkyet because we of experienced Ministry people. districts inOctober. Withapproxi- General Manager Mike Zylicz, don't want to compromise our We 're pleased to have acrewlike mately 450 hourly and manage- who worked in a varietyof posi- Highways contract. Right now, that around." J 7 On The Front Lines . • 1 . \ .'\.. "" \I, '. " .' With Our Avalanche Section • ,I , . .... ,r Heightof snowon Hwy 37 reached a maximum ' 4. ~ of 18metres andaveraged 15m. \. r~ he Ministry's Snow Avalanche Section has its work cut out for it; maintaining a province-wide avalanche management program. TThere are 40 different areas in the province with avalanche prob­ lems, and about 1000 km of highway in 20 districts directly below ava­ lanche paths. The objectives of the section sound straightforward enough: • to maintainpublic safety onthe Geoff Freer, Head of the Section, arevaried .They include snow sta­ occurring when the avalanche highways Senior Technical Officer Janice bility analysis and avalanche haz­ hazard forecast is high. Roads are • to ensureMinistry and contract Johnson , Snow Avalanche Techni ­ ard forecasting. which involves re-opened only when the hazard personnel safety cian Randy Stevens, Gordon Bon­ monitoring weather forecasts. has decreased. • to minimize interruptions to wick, Nic Seaton, Bill Moffat, taking weather observations re­ Technicians inseveral areas also traffic Martin Madelung, Carol Magee, garding avalanche occurrences carry out avalanche control But, of course, there is much Alicia Gentile, Sylvia Preto, and and going up into the higher ele­ through the use of explosives. more to this important work than Brenda Madelung. vations to do snow profiles (look­ and, when necessary. conduct firstmeets theeye. The Avalanche There aresixDistrict Avalanche ingatthelayers inthesnow pack). search and rescue operations. Section was set up in 1974. The Technicians at work in the prov­ Two people, bothwith theirindus­ Various methods of control with staff totals some 30 people in ince. with from one to four areas trial first-aid tickets. travel to­ explosives may be utilized, de­ winter, dropping to 24or25 inthe to look after in their district. Four gether to carry out these tasks. pending upon location, snow summer. The Victoriastaffof eight Snow Avalanche Technicians each They come up with a snowstabil­ pack, instability. etc.These meth­ provides direction and co-ordina­ look after a number of smaller ity analysis and determine if there ods include: tion to DistrictAvalanche Techni ­ areas in several districts. is a hazard to the highway. It's • The "Avalauncher" - a device cians and others throughout the The jobsof the District Avalanche these people onthefrontlinewho which fires nitrogen-propelled province. This group includes Technicians and their assistants recommend preventive closures two kilo charges of PEIN (a type to their District Highways of explosive). with a maximum Managers. range of about 1000metres. Used There are important steps that in the Kootenay Pass, Bear Pass, help to minimize avalanche haz­ and the Revelstoke area, but has ards and meetsafety objectives: problems in strong winds. • 105 mm recoiless rifles - the Long Term mostcommon method. • Avalanche control ropeways • Location of a planned highway (attwo locations onlyintheprov­ - Is it in an avalanche area? Can it ince) which are similar to chair­ bemoved? lifts.They carry a radio and alittle • Building avalanche defense computer, and aresent up the hill structures - Mounds. stopping to pre-set locations. They then dams. diversion dams or snow lower and ignite the explosives. sheds (which areby far the most These arethe first such devices to expensive) be employed in North America. Snow Avalanche Section Staff, at the Victoria office.Left to right: BillMoffat. although they are common in Operations Analyst, Sylvia Preto, Data Analyst, Alicia Gentile, OfficeAssistant. Day to Day Europe. MartinMadelung. Technical Officer, Janice'Johnson, Senior Technical Officer, • Preventive closures - The most • Helicopter bombing - explo­ Carol Magee. Secretary. frequently used method in B.C. , sives dropped directly into the 8 TELECOMMUNICATIONS BRANCH - MINISTRY HEADQUARTERS

Communications Engineer Garth Shearing says of the Telecom­ munications Branch, "It's our job to plan, design, engineer, build \ " ",' \ and maintain radio communica­ .... tion systems employed by the .". " Ministry. Eighty percent of our " workisonmobile radio systems in vehicles and offices. Efficient ~ " communications arecrucial, espe­ cially during emergency operation times. "The planning, designing and engineering is done in Victoria. Our lab builds special items, and avalanche path; can onlybedone takes care of paper workfor engi­ when theweather allows theheli­ neering, licensing and copterto fly. administration. Mike McCooey (right), Communications Technician Region 6, andassistant Les • Case charging - bags of explo­ "The control centres ineach Re­ Stapels, in the Cloverdale repair shop. sives are placed at the foot of gionarethenerve network of our short slopes and detonated. provlndal radio system. We pro­ Shock waves moveup the slope vide equipment and advice for and dislodge the snow. them, though they are adminis­ BEFORE AND AFTER BLUFFS Snow and District Avalanche tered bytheirregional people. We Technicians are also heavily in­ go out into the field to aid in the volved in training staff and con­ selection of sites and installation tract maintenance personnel in of new equipment. The Clover­ avalanche awareness, safety dalegroup is involved in all new measures, search and rescue pro­ construction. " cedures, and weather observation. Janice Johnson, Senior Technical Officer in Victoria, conducts a "storm watch" around the prov­ ince. The officeacts asa commu­ nications co-ordination centre for snow avalanche technicians inthe Phil Best, Art Barry, Greg Valks edge of a cliff 185metres above field. and Lome Bonderoff ofTraffic and Siocan Lake. It narrows to one "The winter of 88-89 was Design Branch , Kootenays Re­ lane for 1 km at the bluffs which heavy untiltheArcticfrontmoved gion, created a scale model of rise 220moverhead . Plans forthe down", she says. "More like the what the Cape Horn Bluffs will roadway involve widening the 1 'normal' winters of 12or 15years looklikeaftertheMinistryfinishes kmsection to two lanes and reha­ ago. Our people were really on its proposed improvements. The bilitating a further 5 km portion. the go this season, with several model was builtwith a removable Improvements will include a con­ big storm cycles coming through. section showing a "before and af­ tinuous roadside barrier on out­ We have had a break lately, but ter" scheme and was partof apre­ side shoulder, a 3.6 meter wide the avalanche season will not be sentation in New Denver with the ditch to catch falling rock and overuntillateAprilor May,sowe Honourable Neil Vant in mid­ snow, and 197metres of concrete will be staying with it." December. retaining wall. LaryJoe (top) andMike Pepin, The Bluffs arelocated between (Thanks to Jennifer Bruce, Geo­ Electronic Technologists, in the Siocan and Silverton on Highway technical Clerk at Nelson, for the communications radiolabin Victoria. 6. The present road is builtonthe information and photo.) 9 to Sicamous. There arefive regu­ iar to me, butwhose faces I don't Radio Room Operators laroperators in the Kamloops ra­ know. I'm their regular link to dio room , and one relief. headquarters; I know what's go­ "I love it" , Annie says. "There ing on right through the region. areroutine aspects to thejob, but "Theworkgetsheavy when the no two days arethe same. All the weather is dicey. Avalanches can guys outonthehighway arelikea bea problem in the Pine Pass and second family to me. When it's along the Alberta border, from 2:00 a.m. out on the Coquihalla Red Pass near Mount Robson to or highways crews, theyare the reassuring voice in the and a crewman is alone and lone­ Jasper. There is a steady flow of regional office. ly, it's important that they have inquiries and we put out regular F Inourlastissue, we briefly outlined theoperations of someone friendly and familiar updates for radio stations and the the Ministry's communications centre at the Burnaby Region they can rely on." RCMP. Emergency calls frequently "Irate calls come in once in a office. These include such things as functioning as the central come in to the radio rooms, con­ while, with complaints about ice dispatch office, collecting weather data and providing road cerning highway and other types or snow. Sometimes, people just reports for the public and the media. of accidents. need someone to talk to. It's al­ "It can be heartbreaking at mostlike being a crisis linecoun­ This information is relayed dedicated group of individuals times ", Annie comments. "We sellor in the winter," across Canada to two companies upon whom maintenance crews ­ talk to some very upset people, PatPickering is the senior op­ in Montreal and Halifax, and sometimes located hundreds of and have toget rightonto thepo­ erator inthecommunications cen­ broadcast throughout the day on km away in isolated locations ­ lice and ambulance. We contact tre in Nelson, Region 3. Scattered the national cable network Chan­ depend for information, guidance thehospital sotheyknowwhatto nel 23. In addition, BCAA re­ and support. expect. ceives the same information, Annie Collins, radio operator "Some hilarious questions are which theypass onto theirmem­ at Kamloops for Region 2, says, phoned in, fromallovertheprov­ bers. Manyradio stations can ac­ "We do a lot of what they do at ince, and as far away as Alaska cess the centre by computer and Burnaby for our Region. We gath­ and California.They wantto know receive road and weather reports erweather observations and road what the road to Vancouver will via Email. reports from foremen which are be like in two weeks, or the The communication centre han­ sent to other regions, answer all weather. I've even been asked dles all these chores and more, calls fromthepublic and assist the how much a marriage license and takes over radio room re­ RCMP." costs. But we direct people as sponsibility after hours (from ap­ best we can; that's what we're proximately 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 here for. a.m.) intheCentral Northeast and "I'm lucky; I enjoy communica­ Vancouver Island region. North­ tions somuch. It's a jobthatgives • west, Thompson/Okanagan and you a feeling of self-worth. I like Kootenay regions however, oper­ being a public servant." Pat's radio equipment thatputsher ate a full service 24 hours a day, Doreen lambano is the radio in touch with field staff. performing similar functions for operator (with one relief) for Re­ throughout the Region are 29 re­ their regions as the communica­ gion4 at Prince George. The Cen­ peater sites and I000 mobile ra­ tion centre does for the lower tralNortheast region isthelargest dios in vehicles, offices, shops, mainland. in the province, stretching north helicopters and aboard ferries. to Fort St. John, south to Williams This Region covers the area from Radio Room Lake, east to the Alberta border Osoyoos to the Alberta border and west to Fraser Lake. She Operators - Key Annie Collins, Radio Room Operator. east-west, and fromthe U.S. bor­ works from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 derto mile 194at theMicaaccess people in Regional Annie isveryenthusiastic about p.rn., after which time Burnaby north-south. Communications herjob,which she has been doing takes over. There are several high passes We interviewed several radio for 15years. Region 2 covers the Doreen has been on the job for here, including the Rogers Pass room operators around the prov­ area from 100Mile House in the 10 years."I like lt", she says. and Sarno-Creston, both over ince forthisissue of the Road Run­ northof Princeton and Penticton in "There is a whole family of folks 1800metres. Winter closures for ner,and discovered thattheyarea thesouth; westto Lytton and east out there whose voices arefamil- avalanches are frequent. "When 10 that happens, it getscrazy here", 37, and 37A - wereclosed inJanu ­ SCHOOL PRESENTATION BRINGS says Pat, who, with the centre's ary with avalanches, but were other operators, are busy around opened soon afterwards. THE TRAFfiC TO THE KIDS theclock. Inthesummer, onlyone "I enjoy thejob. I liketalking to radio operator is needed until different people, and answering 3:00 p.rn. when Burnaby takes calls fromasfar away as Los An­ over. geles, with people wanting to After 15 years on the job, Pat know about whether they can still finds it "enjoyable and inter­ bringthe motor homes, and how esting." "There is always some­ the road will be in a few weeks. thing different going on", she You have to keep yoursense of hu­ says. "It's rough when there are mour and be diplomatic when bad accidents, likein 1976when you're talking to the public. It three cars were lost in an ava­ does get intense at times, espe­ lanche. Andnotlongago, aman in cially when there are avalanches Trout Lake cut his arm off with a down.Then thenews media, local saw and actually managed to call people and travellers areclamour­ me. Weworkclosely with the po­ ing to knowwhat'sgoingon." lice, ambulances and media. Alma Demmit also works inthe Sometimes there are dangerous Terrace radio room, thegraveyard cargo spills, and traffic has to be shift (12:00 midnight to 8:00 re-routed. a.m.). "Crew members in remote "This winter was a little more areas callintotalkinthemiddleof exciting than lastyear ", she says, Wayne Keiser explaining the unitto Wayne Scott, Trade Supervisor with the night. It's a pretty big world "with moresnow and a fair num­ Electrical District inSouth Coast Region, whowill be teaching thenext session. when you're out there alone. I berof avalanches." knoweveryone bynumber: I don't Highways crews startcalling in Inanovel experiment, ourElectri­ other signals mean . I observed knowalltheirnames. When I meet weather observations to Alma cal Branch has been bringing the the first session, and the students them atasocial, I say 'ohyoumust early in themorning, with the first traffic to the kids. And the results really enjoyed it." be R307!'" one coming in about 4:00 a.m. areinteresting and encouraging. Shop Supervisor Wayne Keiser The Nelson communications fromPort Clements. Calls from 15 Ray Reekie, Regional District actually does the presentation, centre also programs electronic other stations continue over the Manager at the Electrical Branch , and will beseen onthevideothat overhead signs at Golden and Re­ next couple of hours. in Coquitlam, told us about the has been made ofoneof hisrecent velstoke for the Rogers Pass, and Like all radio room operators, project. Tradesmen in the shop school sessions. others at Salmo and Creston. Alma has her share of emergen­ built a four-foot by three-foot "I enjoy it too, as much as the Weather information is picked up cies to deal with. Inlate February, working model of a typical urban kids", Keiser says. "Typical ques­ from 45 stations, relayed to the forexample,there was alarge fuel intersection, complete with tions concern advance warning Department of Environment in truck spillon thehighway justout matchbox-type toy cars and elec­ amber lights - what does that Vancouver, as well as American of Terrace. She called the Provin­ trically operated traffic lights. A mean? They also want to know and Alberta automobile cial Highways Emergency Pro­ presentation was arranged at an what makes the lights change, associations. gram and the RCMP, and helped elementary school inMapleRidge what the flashing green arrow "It's a heavy job at times", Pat to co-ordinate for highways in mid-January, and repeated means, and what it means when says. "But it's really great, very crews dealing with the cleanup. twice in late February. the intersection light is flashing satisfying. " "The graveyard shiftis relative­ "The objectof theexercise isto amber and red. (jordon Russell isaradioroom ly quiet", she says. "Someone has improve the children's traffic "The primary level children are operator in Terrace, Region 5. He to bethere for theplowand sand ­ awareness",Reekie says. "The thebestto workwith (grades 1-3) has held similar positions in Nel­ ing crews - a reassuring person model operates like a real inter­ because they're still positive, en­ son and Kamloops, moving to Ter­ who can contact emergency peo­ section . We run the toy cars thusiastic and curious." race in 1981. The Region runs ple when required , or call out a across thedisplay board , and that In the works for possible future fromthe Yukon border to Kitimat, tow-truck. It's likeasecurity blan­ changes the signal. We show use at other schools is the afore­ and from the Queen Charlotte Is­ ket for the guys up north on 37 them how the push-button sys­ mentioned video presentation, lands to Burns Lake. and 37A, where it's a long way tem works, and explain why they and a brochure to giveto thechil­ "It's been a busy winter", Gor­ between communities. Some­ don't have to panic at the flashing dren to take home, which summa­ don says. "Three highways - 16, times I'm their onlycontact." hand. We also explain what the rizes the information. 11 A New Look In Signing

The Ministry implements a new program for tourist services, facilities and attractions in B.C.

n a co-operative venture, the Ministry of Transportation . and Highways and theMinistryofTourism and Provincial I Secretary have developed a new provincial sign policy for tourist services and attractions. The new blue and white designs provide clear, consistent information to helpmotor­ ists find these facilities. Signs are directional and are not in­ tended to promote any particular service or attraction business. Headquarters Traffic SectionStaff FUtch Wood andJanet Abramoff, will be The new policy provides for er continuing programs such as travelling around theprovinceto assist RegionalCoordinatorsin introducing standardized signing in both rural community welcome and area thenewsign program to business operators. and urban areas.The main empha­ promotion ,aswellascombination sis and change isintherural areas. service club and church signs. Ra­ addition, we will effectively clean and attractions while at the same where new. larger signs will dis­ diostations signing ineach district up rights-of-wayacross theprov­ time strengthening our local and play titles (such as gas, food, will also receive a newlook. ince by removing unnecessary provincial economies." lodging, camping, tourist attrac­ "The Ministry of Transportation signs, and enhance their scenic The Minister of Tourism and tion), business name panels and and Highways is one of the key value. Provincial Secretary Bill Reid directional markings. In urban players in British Columbia's "Pilot signing projects have agrees thatthenewsigning policy areas, new white and blue stan­ growing tourist industry", com­ demonstrated thatthenewpolicy "represents an important stage in dardsymbols will identifyprovin­ ments ourMinister Neil Vant. lives up to our expectations. The our ongoing program to enhance cially approved services where first signs were installed in the and develop British Columbia's requ ired. Spring of 1988 between Hope tourism industry." Signs will be produced, in­ and Cache Creek. They success­ "I want to congratulate the stalled and maintained by the fullymet the needs expressed by Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Transportation and both the service operators and Highways for taking theresponsi­ Highways through each contrac­ the public for clear, consistent bility for designing the signs and tor with nocharge to thebusiness highway directional signing. developingstandards and eligibil­ operators. "The second pilot project. ity criteria. They have done a ter­ To be eligible, businesses must which commenced in July 1988, rific job, and we will soon have meet the standards established TOURIST involved the installation of new oneof the best such signing sys­ by both Ministries and must be ATTRACTION signs between Victoria and Port tems in North Americain place. opento thepublic atleast sixdays Hardy. Again , feedback is posi­ "The system brings a newlevel a week. Permits covering private "Our new signing program re­ tive. Asa result, we areproceed­ of form and order to the scenic signs for existing lodging, camp­ presents an excellent step for­ ing quickly with implementation landscape, showing thateffective ing and tourist attractions will be ward in providing clearer, better of the program province-wide. signing can complement natural cancelled as new signs are in­ information onsigns that arecon ­ " The benefits are two-fold: we surroundings. On the highway, stalled. Private signing, under siderably larger than those pre­ can better advise the travelling the new signs have been wel­ permit, will bemaintained foroth- viously allowed under permit. In public of the location of facilities comed by thepublic, and have al- 12 ready shown that theydo, in fact, impact positively on local busi­ IN THE PAST nesses serving the traveller." "Wedecided onthenewpolicy in 1987, after some years of ex­ The Way We Were - Cache Creek Changes perimenting with other systems, none of which wereentirely satis- I he upper photograph, tak­ factory", comments Traffic re­ en 1945, shows Cache search Officer Neil Vickers. "We T Creek at the junction of proceeded with thedevelopment 10,with Trans Can­ of the symbols and the blue and ada Highway 1. (The Cariboo white colour scheme, and liberal­ Road later was designated as ized the distance limitations ­ Route 2, and in the 1950's it be­ especially for moreremote facili­ came Route 97). The buildings ties such as guest ranches and amongst thetrees arethose of the fishing camps. Various systems Cache Creek Motel, one of the were looked at, most particularly few business establishments in those fromQuebec and Washing­ thearea at thattime. Construction ton State. The State Project 12, Cariboo Highway, policywas eventually chosen and Cache Creek to Maiden Creek, adapted to our needs. sawthisjunction moveeasterly to "Thenewpolicyisdesigned pri­ its present location. The recon ­ marily to lookafter rural areas. In struction of the highway, which urban areas, we will provide sym­ was donebyGeneral Construction bols only for services one of Vancouver, was completed in wouldn't normally find, such as 1946and gavethenewhighway a boatlaunching,camping, marinas, paved surface of 24 feet. At the and sani-stations. Gas, food, and timeof reconstruction, there were lodging areeasily located inurban 10 lots surrounding Cache Creek areas, sosigns aren'treally neces­ Junction. sary for travellers to find these The lowerphoto shows theold services. junction as it is today. Both roads "Weareworking towardhaving are now within the Village of all signs of interest to visitors in Cache Creek. The former Trans­ blue and white,and will beadding Canada is known as Todd Road , awholerange of otherattractions while the old Cariboo Road is re­ 1947as partof Project 650(Ash­ such a museums, galleries, hatch­ ferred to astheTrans-Canada. The croft Manorto Cache Creek, a 10 eries, ski areas and wineries. The large darkbuilding in thecentre is km project) The large building in policy recognizes the need for a the post office while those in the theforeground istheOasis Hotel. more extensive, standardized , foreground areapartof theCache Thanks to Frank Clapp of Victo­ easily recognizable signing sys­ Creek trailer park. ria for the photos and details. temin rural areas to guidevisitors to services and attractions." The new program has been set outina brochure entitled "A New Look in Signing", available pro­ vince-wide at Ministry Regional and District offices. Public meet­ ings arebeing scheduled through­ out the province to outline the overall policy and give business operators a chance to ask ques­ tions about how the program affects each of them. 13 IN THE FIELD

CONTINUOUS SERVICE AWARDS RECIPIENTS 1988 john Sheremeta Years of Service: 25 Kamloops Antonius P. Aarts Harbhajan S. Grewal Alfred Simpson Port Alberni Nanaimo Burnaby Clark R. Abel Thomas P. Harkness Leonard Thony Sooke Victoria Prince George Maurice E. Bagg John B. Hecker Neil Vickers McBride Kamloops Victoria Peter Barnes John Holland john Watts Nelson Clearwater Coquitlam Leroy F. Briggeman Victor Irwin Dale Webb Robson Golden Vernon

Walter Cheveldeau Donald Isenor From left: john Marriott, Dan Doyle. Clark Abel andMal}' Abel. Glen Westman Penticton Langley Delta Thomas Churchill David jacobs David Martens john Oakley Ross Robertson Harold Wilde Falkland Williams Lake Rossland Cecil Lake Dawson Creek Kelowna john H. Clark Leonard Klassen Kenneth Matthias Gerald Raymond Gordon Rodney james Willis Kamloops Clearbrook Ladysmith Langley Wynndel Salmon Arm Charles F. Conseiller Gerald Kristoff john Mawle Allan Rhodes Karen Shephard Richard Yamaoka Surrey Surrey Parksville Sicamous Nanaimo Kamloops David Currie joseph Kubek john McClean Duncan North Surrey Richmond Donald Delainey William Laluk Allan Morgenthaler Dawson Creek North Surrey Smithers Dallas j. Doyle james Lines Edward Morley Revelstoke Revelstoke Quesnel Brent Draper Eli Makeiv Hugh Nelson Kamloops Lytton Clinton Christopher A. Gadsden john Marriott john O'Bryan Sardis Chemainus Kimberley From left: Betty Wilton, Neil Vickers. andjo-Anne Vickers.

Years of Service: 35

Albert Bilcik Eric Kramer Frank Spisak Creston Vernon South Hazelton Kenneth Brookbank jackMakeiv Lloyd Stellingwerff Pouce Coupe Victoria Coquitlam Dennis Chisholm john McKay Glen Wiley Kelowna Lytton Fraser Lake Douglas Doidge Raymond Meeks Ronald Winbow Victoria Chase Surrey Edwin Gaarden William Sainsbury From left: Tom Aarts, Karen Shephard, Har Grewal. Bella Coola Oliver 14 IN THE FIELD

RETIREMENTS SANTA KEN ENJOYS HIS NEW CAREER various senior citizens homes and Canadian Legion pubs. He has I November, t988 been invited home to play Santa I Art Sankey, for many children, listened to the M07, Saanich troubles of people and stopped Ralph Towers, the show at a local bar when he M07, Saanich strolled in to give candy canes to Jim McCreight, the stripper on stage. Lab., New Westminster "The highlightof all this", Ken Clifford McGillivray, says, "took place at Tillicum I Deckhand, Nelson Lodge. I went up to an elderly Ed Rusk, lady, over80 years old, who was MO1, Penticton sittingina chair, head down, star­ Retired general office mailman canes and a new Santa suitmade ing at the floor, completely un­ December, t988 Ken Wells has made quiteacareer for me by my wife Dorothy. aware of any activityaround her. I Bill Alexander, forhimself asSanta Claus inVicto­ "I have never accepted offers tapped her on he shoulder, and I Technician 2, Burnaby ria. Every Christmas season he of remuneration or appeared be­ she looked up and said 'Santa!' I

Norm McRae, dons hisred suitand white beard fore December 24 with the ex­ learned later from the nurse that I Road FR. A., Saanich and makes his rounds dispensing ception of 1988when Christmas she had not spoken for over a

Ken Daub, candy canes and good cheer. Eve fell on a Saturday, and this year. This is the greatest kind of II Tj Mech., Dawson Creek "I started in 1979", Ken says, was doneto accommodate asing­ reward I could ever expect and "when I bought an inexpensive song and gatheringat Tillicum Re­ makes it all worthwhile. What I January t989 Santa outfit and 300 candy canes. tirement Lodge." keep, I lose; what 1give away is I Pat Dunn, Soon I was up to 1,000 candy He has called in at City Hall, mine forever." ~ District Highways Manager, Chilliwack IN MEMORY Of Jim Onions, I for 33 years, starting on February We worked withyou Rd. Fr. B., New Denver for molnY years. Ron Wlnbow, 17, 1955 in an auxiliary position We shared withyou asLabourer and Axeman in Kam­ ourhopes ""d fears. DistrictHighways Manager, We shared ajoke. North Vancouver loops Region. He was promoted weshared a smile, to Clerk Grade 2 in 1961 and We were a team frank Goring, for thelongest while. MO 3, moved to Golden District as a Andyou're inourminds Clerk Grade 3 in 1962. He re­ where 'ere wego. john""d john. wemissyouso. February, t989 turned to Kamloops in 1970 as From the radio room staff in Peter Byrne, Timekeeper and remained there Region 2. Surfacing Ops. Supervisor, until his retirement on March 31 , 1988. john passed away on De­ Paving Branch, Headquarters john Epoch Maurice Bagg, cember 22, 1988. Patrick Shane Murphy John Joseph Epoch Rd. Fr. A., McBride Mr. Murphy started with the B.C. Mr. Epoch began service with the Homer Good, Government August 1, 1971 as an B.C. Government on October 21 , DistrictHighways Manager, Engineering Aide3 with the Con­ 1975asa radio and Teletype Op­ Grand Forks struction Branch, located at the erator in Kamloops Region. Here­ Morley Hyatt, McBride District Office. In 1978 mained in the radio room untilhis Rd. Fr. A., Nelson hewas promoted to an Engineer­ retirement on March 31, 1986. Sandy Murray, ingAssistant. In 1981 hewas pro­ john passed away on january 22, MO 4, Smithers moted to a Technician 1, located 1989. George Ash, at Williams Lake and was there Deckhand , New Westminster untilhisdeath in 1989. Hehad 17 Ernie Elliott, John Leslie Edgar years of service with the Provin­ MO 4, Prince Rupert Mr. Edgar was with the Ministry john L. Edgar cial Government. 15 ---., PROFILE

Sharlie Huffman: Last November, Sharlie tookon the role of inspecting bridges Chairperson of the Women's maintained by the contractor in Program Committee theSouth Island District - 140in all, scattered throughout four road areas. "The contractor is doing very well so far", she comments. "Of "THE PENDULUM SWINGS SLOWLY, course, we're dealing mostly with BUT IT DOES SWING" the same people who were with Highways before. Privatization has been very successful in our area, and it's been an interesting change for me too." Sharlie also keeps her hand in with extra curricular activities in herchosen profession aswell.She is past chairperson of the Engi­ neeringInstitute of Canada's Van­ couver Island Branch , has served harlie Huffman, a bridge equally supportive to this fine with advisors from other minis­ as Secretary-Treasurer for several design engineer - now program. The Women 's Programs tries and representatives of the years, and isanactive member of S seconded to the South is­ Committee is a sub-committee of secretariat. the Professional Development land District asActing Area Con­ the Executive group. The Execu­ "Ourjobisto set- and hopeful­ Committee of the Association of tract Manager for Bridges - has tive representative is Dan Doyle, ly achieve - goals", she states. Professional Engineers (B.c.). She been appointed Chairperson of Assistant Deputy Minister, High­ "And we share information, so as is frequently the only woman at the Ministry's Women's Program ways Operations." Committee. One of the commit­ Sharlie observes, "the Ministry tee's roles is to helpcarry out the has not in thepasthadawomen 's " ... it is up to all staff, men and women Ministry's commitment to have program committee. The Execu­ alike, to seize upon the opportunities as they more women in senior manage­ tive Committee has appointed ment positions. "Ourgoal", Shar­ one to deal with women's pro­ become available." lie says, "is to advance toward a gramand to work towarda more morebalanced representation." balanced representation of wom­ notto bereinventing thewheel all meetings. In addition , she is a en, especially in key decision­ Her comment is supported by the time." member of the Project Manage­ making roles." Deputy Minister Vince Collins, Through herworking life, Shar­ ment Institute of B.C. who says, "I ammost pleased to "There will beseveral initiatives lie has displayed the kind of te­ Sharlie is anarticulate and out­ see the Women's Program taking forthcoming, particularly in man­ nacity and talents that have been spoken critic of stereotypes on on greater prominence. We have agement training. We wantthecli­ responsible for her successful ca­ television and in day-to-day life. an enormously talented pool of mate to be better for women to reer in an area traditionally domi­ "It's often said that it's a 'man's people within the Ministry, many advance at any level. Ours isabig nated by men. She was in man­ game' out there. But as women, of whom arewomen. It isupto us ministry, with traditional male­ agement with Bell Canada in we don't have to play it; it's not to ensure thatequal opportunity is female role divisions. But this is Ontario before coming to B.C. in the onlyway to go. available to all our employees to changing, like society at large." 1971. She then attended the Uni­ "My overall aim", she says, "is seek their full potential. At the Sharlie is also the Ministry of versity of B.C. where she tookher to helpspeed the process of slow same time, it isupto allstaff, men Transportation and Highway's ad­ Civil Engineering Degree, and change from established and tra­ and women alike, to seize upon visorto the Women 's Secretariat, joined Highways in 1981 as ditional role divisions. I want to theopportunities asthey become which is part of the Ministry of bridge design engineer, one of see amoreequal , more logicalor­ available." Advanced Education and Job perhaps half a dozen women en­ der taking place. The pendulum "The executive committee is Training. She attends meetings gineers in the Ministry. swings slowly, butit does swing."