BEAVERLY, B.C. — Nearly 100 truck drivers and local residents gathered last week to protest the location of a new brake check.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure was represented at the meeting and heard complaints about the location of the check as well as the lack of consultation with nearby residents and industry.

Concerns were raised about excess noise, dust and safety, specifically the lack of acceleration and deceleration lanes for heavy trucks.

Ministry staff said the location was chosen because of its available space, grades, lines of sight, etc., according to a briefing by the Central Interior Logging Association (CILA), which was also present at the meeting.

The location also was chosen because it allows truckers to ensure their brakes are working properly before descending Peden Hill, about 25 kms west of Prince George. Those on-hand argued they’d prefer the brake check to be located right before the top of the hill, by the Bon Voyage Centre, or further west, at the top of the Mud River Hill, CILA reports.

The Ministry said it will add long deceleration and acceleration lanes to the facility so that trucks can get in and out of the brake check area without interfering with other traffic.