My Goal:  I am calling on local and provincial authorities to make the 3 km stretch of HWY 16 in Prince George, between the Yellowhead Bridge and Boundary Road, (commonly known by locals as “Jail Hill” due to its proximity to the Prince George Correctional Centre), safer for both drivers and wildlife.

This section of the highway urgently needs improvements, such as wildlife warning signs, better lighting, and ideally, designated crossings and barriers. These changes could prevent further tragedies, saving both human and animal lives.

Why This Matters:

The stretch of Highway 16 between the Yellowhead Bridge and Boundary Road is one of the most dangerous roads in the area. It runs through a region with high wildlife activity, including deer, moose, and other animals. The road is pitch black at night with no streetlights, making it nearly impossible for drivers to spot wildlife on or near the road.  The road is a hill with long bends, making it challenging to react quickly to sudden dangers, especially in icy winter conditions.

When we moved to Prince George two years ago, we were frequently warned about the dangers of this stretch of highway.  Since then, we have witnessed multiple accidents on this stretch, some so severe that it seemed impossible anyone survived. We have also seen manydead moose and deer along the road - tragic reminders of the dangers here.

Most recently, on November 28, 2024, a deer was struck and killed, and just hours later, another deer was hit in the same area. The following Sunday, a moose was also hit in the same area.  These incidents are part of a recurring and preventable problem. https://ckpgtoday.ca/2024/12/03/petition-calls-for-safety-improvements-on-highway-16/

For our own peace of mind, we often avoid this stretch of Highway 16 and take a longer route home via Highway 97 and Boundary Road, which is well-lit and feels safer, even though it adds extra time to our trip.  Many of us suffer from anxiety driving on this particular stretch, especially at night near the big curve where wildlife frequently graze in the bush. It’s clear that something needs to be done to protect both drivers and animals in this area.

The Facts:

 • The stretch of Highway 16 between the Yellowhead Bridge and Boundary Road runs through an area where animals are often on or near the road, making it especially dangerous for drivers. 

 • In Canada, wildlife-vehicle collisions cause over 25,000 reported accidents annually, resulting in hundreds of injuries, millions of dollars in damages, and countless animal deaths. https://bcmj.org/articles/health-care-access-and-injury-patterns-patients-following-moose-and-deer-vehicle-

• Research shows that wildlife warning signs effectively slow drivers and increase awareness, helping to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. Additionally, streetlights provide critical safety benefits—especially at sharp bends, where headlights alone may not fully illuminate the road. Improved lighting also reduces the blinding effect of oncoming headlights, enhancing visibility for drivers and helping them spot hazards, such as wildlife, more quickly. https://canadasafetycouncil.org/navigating-wildlife-encounters-on-the-road/

 • Studies show that wildlife fencing, crossings, and improved signage can reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by up to 85%, proving that these measures are essential for safety.  https://www.pewtrusts.org/-/media/assets/2020/02/reducing-wildlife-vehicle-collisions-by-building-crossingscllcpew-005.pdf

How You Can Help:

Please join us in pushing for safety improvements on this dangerous stretch of Highway 16 by signing this petition.  

I’ve reached out to Mike Farnworth (Minister of Public Safety), Steven Guilbeault (Minister of Environment), Simon Yu (Mayor of Prince George), and YRB. YRB acknowledged the concerns and stated they are working with the Ministry of Transportation to explore potential solutions.

The more signatures we gather, the stronger our voice will be in urging for the safety improvements needed on this dangerous stretch of Highway 16. With your support, we can push for wildlife barriers, better lighting, and more visible warning signs. We’ve reached out to the BC Ministry of Transportation, YRB, and local officials, and we’re continuing to work with them to find solutions. Your signature helps raise awareness and move us closer to making this road safer for everyone.

What people are saying:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Action Taken:

 

 

 

 

 

And ongoing….

 

Progress So Far:

 

✅ DEER WARNING SIGNS INSTALLED

On December 17, 2024, MOTI installed deer warning signs just a couple of weeks after my petition. These signs were a direct result from our petition and put up to warn drivers of the frequent collisions and heightened deer activity in the area.

 

✅ CONCRETE MERIDIAN BARRIER INSTALLED

On March 17th, MOTI began installing a concrete meridian barrier down the stretch of Jail Hill. It will protect drivers from head-on collisions and may discourage deer from crossing as freely as they once did. While this project had been in the works for years, it definitely feels like the spotlight from our petition helped make it a top priority.

✅ BRUSH CLEARING UNDERWAY

March 17 -31  they have been extensively clearing the brush along the highway, removing vegetation that was both attracting and concealing wildlife.

Response from MOTI received on February 18, 2025:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Links 🔗 Supporting the Benefits of Wildlife Warning Signs, Protecting Wildlife, Preventing Accidents, and Enhancing Road Safety with Street Lighting:

• Collisions Involving Motor Vehicles and Large Animals in Canada https://www.wildlifecollisions.ca/docs/D6ACDB93DFABC8C6.pdf
• Making BC's roads safer for people and wildlife: https://www.wildlifecollisions.ca/prevention/safety-tips.htm
• Making roads safer for wildlife at Parks Canada:
  https://parks.canada.ca/nature/science/especes-species/routes-roads
• Wildlife Matters on BC Highways:
  https://www.tranbc.ca/2022/06/29/wildlife-matters-on-bc-highways/