Not if the new route was continuous 4 lanes and possibly grade separated at major intersections. In fact i know that would be the route I would take instead of the dangerous Canyon. Especially if it was given a simple routing designation to follow (such as calling the combined routs by their current names and a "Connector" name, akin to the 97C & Okanagan Connector naming scheme). In fact I don't think it would be to many kms more to travel either. Ashcroft to Merrit and Merrit to Hope is not really any longer than Aschcroft to Lytton and Lytton to Hope.