Council challenges changes to 25th Street

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted May 14, 2014 at 1:00 AM
Plans to divert traffic in a Vernon neighbourhood are getting a rough ride even before they go to the public. Council members questioned a proposal Monday that would see through traffic and left-hand turns limited at key intersections on 25th Street, from Pleasant Valley Road to 46th Avenue. “I’m getting calls and a lot of concerns,” said Coun. Brian Quiring. “There are a lot of people who feel this is the wrong thing. It’s a good north/south connector so I’m not sure why we’re doing this.” The plan will be the focus of a public consultation session today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Alliance Church’s Arbour room. Among the components of the proposal are a centre median at the intersection of 32nd Avenue and 25th Street, two intersections at 25th Street and 39th Avenue and a centre median at 43rd Avenue and 25th Street. Amanda Watson, a municipal transportation technician, says the plan was developed because residents on 25th Street are upset about speed and the volume of vehicles trying to avoid 27th Street. “It’s classified as a local road and the requests have been to remove the through traffic,” she said. “Residents have requested we return it to a local road.” However, Coun. Juliette Cunningham isn’t sure about the staff explanation. “We have numerous roads that could be challenged the same way (considered local) so where do we go?” she said. The proposal previously went before council, but Cunningham thought it just included sidewalks and slowing vehicles down and not preventing through traffic on 25th Street. “I didn’t realize we were looking at this,” she said. If the changes occur, Watson believes 25th Street will be desirable walking and cycling route for Harwood and Beairsto elementary students. Sixty-six per cent of the residents within the specific area must approve of the removal of the through and left-turn movements at the three intersections.