The mayor of Princeton B.C. was directing traffic through his community Sunday, Nov. 14, as hundreds of cars were backed up Highway 5A, being forced through the town’s main intersection.
“Everyone is coming down through 5A, through Princeton,” said Spencer Coyne, wearing a high visibility vest and working a sign. “Princeton (fire department) and a (foreperson from AIM) is on the scene and that’s all I know at this point. We are just trying to keep the traffic flowing through the town safely.”
Earlier in the day three separate slides closed the Coquihalla, and Highway 1 just north east of the Lower Mainland.
It’s not the first time Coyne has stepped in, when highway closures stress the town’s infrastructure.
In August 2021 wildfires closed major thoroughfares and the mayor took to his personal Facebook page, posting a video rant from the intersection of Highway 5A, Bridge Street, and Highway 3.
“This is a joke. Where the hell is the province?” he asked then. “I am absolutely disgusted that we still don’t have any support from the province on traffic control.”
While the controversial intersection is within town limits, both highways fall under provincial jurisdiction.
Related: Despite hate mail Princeton mayor doesn’t regret social media rant
Related: Coquihalla could see flash flooding, up to 90 millimetres of rain by Monday afternoon
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