Between 2020 and 2024, Kitimat saw 131 reported vehicle crashes, including 40 that resulted in injuries, according to newly released data from the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia.
Five locations accounted for nearly one-third of all collisions. At the top was the intersection of Haisla Blvd. at Kitamaat Village Rd. and Nalabila Blvd., with 12 crashes. Five of those incidents involved injuries — the highest number of casualty crashes at any single location. While this intersection is the most crash-prone, police noted that none of the recorded incidents in the five-year period resulted in fatalities.
The junction of Haisla Blvd. and Lahakas Blvd. followed with 11 crashes overall. Only one of those involved injuries, suggesting that while the intersection is busy, it may be less severe in terms of outcomes.
Ten crashes were reported at Haisla Blvd. and Kuldo Blvd., three of which led to injuries. Rounding off the top five locations, seven crashes occurred at the intersection of Haisla Blvd. and Tsimshian Blvd., with two involving injuries.
When isolating crash locations by injury only, the same intersections continue to rank high. Haisla Blvd. at Kitamaat Village Rd. and Nalabila Blvd. again tops the list with five casualty crashes. Haisla Blvd. and Kuldo Blvd., and Hwy 37 near its southern approach to Kitimat, each recorded three injury crashes. Haisla Blvd. at Tsimshian Blvd., and Hwy 37 at Oolichan Ave., had two injury crashes each.
Kitimat RCMP said they have been increasing patrols along the Hwy 37 corridor and Kitamaat Village Rd. to reduce speeding and bring traffic under control as vehicles enter town. They noted that slowing vehicles before they reach major intersections may help reduce the number and severity of crashes in these areas.
Here are the next five highest-ranking intersections by crash volume and casualty counts, following the top five already discussed:
Next five by total crashes (ranks 6 to 10):
-
Kingfisher Ave. and Nalabila Blvd. – 5 crashes
-
Hwy 37 and Oolichan Ave. – 5 crashes
-
Haisla Blvd. and Kingfisher Ave. – 4 crashes
-
Nalabila Blvd. and Wakita Ave. – 3 crashes
-
Kuldo Blvd., Liard St. and Lillooet Cres. – 3 crashes
Next five by casualty crashes (ranks 6 to 10):
-
Hwy 37 and Oolichan Ave. – 2 crashes
-
Haisla Blvd., North and South Lahakas Blvd., and a turning lane – 1 crash
-
City Centre – 1 crash
-
E Columbia Ave. and Kechika St. and Kootenay St. – 1 crash
-
Egret St. and North Lahakas Blvd. – 1 crash
