East Hill plans seek public input

By Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star - May 14, 2008

A new roundabout for East Hill. The planned closing of uphill traffic on Suicide Hill. Those are two of the options being presented as a “package of improvement” for trying to improve the safety and operational traffic aspects of 30th and 32nd Avenues, and Pleasant Valley Road. “That whole area, we plan to be upgrading and revising designs along the routes and the intersections involved,” said City of Vernon senior transportation engineer Lorne Holowachuk. “It’s an upgrade that involves, basically, the safety and operational benefits to the community.” The new traffic plan will be presented at a public input meeting, designed to gauge what residents think of the plan and to get their opinions, ideas and comments on it, on Thussday, May 22 at 7 p.m. in Vernon Council chambers. The plans include a roundabout that would be located at the current four-way stop at 32nd Avenue and Pleasant Valley Road. “If that’s not supported, we have an alternate design that includes a four-way stop with left-turn lanes in all legs,” said Holowachuk. “We prefer the roundabout and the ease with which it can be operated. The approach flows are almost all equal, which is good for the use of a roundabout as there’s not a dominant movement anywhere.”

The plan also recommends that eastbound traffic on 30th Avenue be prohibited from going straight up Suicide Hill, which would take effect at 25th Street. “If you’re destined to go up the hill, you will not be allowed to do that at 26th Street,” explained Holowachuk. “You will be able to access Suicide Hill off of 24th and 23rd Streets, and off 32nd Avenue. You can make a right turn at 26th and head in a southerly direction, then go east at any street that makes the most sense for your destination.” The Suicide Hill proposal drew queries from two Vernon councillors. Juliette Cunningham questioned the rationale behind eliminating eastbound traffic on the hill. Holowachuk explained such a move is long overdue to deal with safety risks. Pat Cochrane, who grew up on East Hill, said he was baffled by such a plan. “I used to go up and down that hill,” said Cochrane, who called for a public input session. “You’re drastically changing traffic patterns in that area. I’m not sure what you’re proposing is justified.” The new plan also calls for the installation of a unique application, a “choker,” or a wide type of lane or boulevard, to reduce traffic speed that’s westbound or southbound on Pleasant Valley Road, and aimed at speed reduction for those heading down 32nd Avenue towards 27th Street.

Mayor Wayne Lippert invites everyone to attend the public input session on May 22. “The meeting will be structured so that council and staff in attendance can meet with the public and make sure a lot of input goes back and forth,” said Lippert. City staff will collect the input gathered from the meeting and will make a presentation to council at its regular meeting on June 9. If given the go ahead, construction on the new safety phases would start in August or September.
---------------

Don Quixote note: See map of area at posting.

-----------------

Morning Star Editorial May 14

It’s a quirky attraction in Vernon, it has a long history and it’s an easily identifiable landmark that helps with directions for newcomers or visitors. Now, the City of Vernon is wanting to make a significant traffic change to Suicide Hill. Found on 30th Avenue, just up from the Vernon Courthouse (the big stone building with pillars on 27th Street and 30th Avenue), Suicide Hill is distinguished from other hills in town by its length, its three tiers and the fact you can only go up the hill. Didn’t used to be like that. You could go down Suicide Hill, which a lot of people did, for a lot of years, in their cars, motorcyles, bikes. Some even tried skateboarding down the hill. A number of accidents – some fatal – resulted in the closure of the long, middle downhill portion. Now, in an effort to improve safety, the City of Vernon is contemplating eliminating a direct uphill route on the hill.

That is, if you’re going east on 30th Avenue, say to your home or to Lakeview Park, you’ll have to bypass Suicide Hill, because the city plans to eliminate access at 25th Street. You can still go up if you access the hill off 23rd and 24th Streets, or you turn right at 26th Street, go over to 25th Avenue and turn left or you can go up 32nd Avenue. The city claims snow removal is also a nightmare. So how did they do it, for so many years, when both sides were open and there was a lot more snow? While we can see the city’s point about safety for motorists and pedestrians, the traffic pattern change at Suicide for going uphill seems like a big inconvenience, particularly for those who live just off of 30th Avenue.The public can have its say on the matter at a public input session Thursday, May 22, 7 p.m., at city hall.