A Vernon street is targeted for what's called a "road diet." That's where the number of lanes are reduced, but traffic flow and safety are improved. 43rd Avenue would go from four lanes to three, between 27th and 32nd streets, with the middle lane used for left hand turns. Councillor Patrick Nicol
was initially opposed to the idea, but was convinced to support it after hearing more details. He says the argument from staff is that it would reduce accidents. "It doesn't seem to stall the flow, but increases the flow, and that's really the argument you have to buy or reject, and for this meeting today, I accepted that." Mayor Wayne Lippert says other cities have successfully taken this direction. "They've done similar projects and had those experiments, and actually increased the efficiency because the left turn lane allows people to get out of the way of traffic and make those turns, and there's less confusion."
The project will only proceed if the city gets a Gas Tax Innovation Fund grant worth 868,00 dollars. The work would also include a rail and traffic signal upgrade. According to city Transportation Technician Amanda Watson, that street sees an average of 14,500 vehicles a day, and has seen 14 bicycle-vehicle accidents but the time frame on those was not specified.
3 comments:
It should be considered CHEATING on your ROAD DIET if you install an "Accident Reduction Measure" (concrete triangle) to prevent LEFT TURNS from 43rd Ave onto 31st Street.
After all, the point of the Road Diet is to move traffic along more efficiently with a centre lane for left turns, NOT to force more traffic to either stay on 43rd Ave, or turn onto busy Hwy 97, or 29th Street or 27th Street.
Can't actually read the left axis of that graph in the report, but apparently there are less than 4 accidents per year at 43rd Ave & 31st St. What need is there for an accident reduction measure?
Overall, this 5-block 43rd Ave Road Diet seems about as necessary for ACCIDENT REDUCTION as the Roundabout at PV Road and 32nd Ave!
lets just turn ALL the roads into bike lanes and then we can be the GREENEST city in North America! Everyone will want to visit us to see how GREEN we are! All those pesky trucks and cars will just have to learn how to do their business by BIKING everywhere! ( Sarcastic )
another project to waste dollars - why is nothing being done for road up keep and maintance.
first it was round abouts then 20th street - then 29th street then it is 30th ave and then it well be allenby way then 36th A street -- did I miss anything -- a road forman stopped to say Hello the other day - He saw 29th Street and was shown 20th street - it was explained what was hoped to be accomplished by the narrow streets no on street parking - He asked if there were plans for an amusement park -- I said no - He said You could of fooled Me -- because You have the start - the road the leads to an amusement park -- He drove away laughing He last words were call Me when Micky Mouse arrives in town.
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