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Ms. Debra Sutherland, Brent Garden
Strata (4353, 4363 and 4373 Halifax Street) and Louise Kawaler, Polaris
Strata (4425 Halifax Street) appeared before the Committee expressing concerns
regarding pedestrian, cyclist and vehicular safety on Halifax Street.
The speakers indicated that traffic
has increased in volume and speed along Halifax Street between Willingdon
Avenue and Douglas Road resulting in increased risk to pedestrians,
particularly school children and seniors. The speaker feels that this
portion of Halifax Street is being used by commuters to bypass Lougheed
Highway. The delegation also expressed concern that the traffic will
continue to increase as the density in the area grows through further
development.
Ms. Kawaler discussed the high
traffic volumes at 1st and Gilmore Avenues as well as the
congestion caused by the driveway off Madison Avenue, north of Lougheed, into
the Staples parking lot.
The delegation requested the
following solutions:
·
Speed
humps on Halifax Street;
·
Dedicated
curb lanes for entering/exiting residential parkades;
·
Lowered
speed limit;
·
Restricted
left turn onto Rosser Avenue during a.m. and p.m. rush hours;
·
Full
traffic light and crosswalks installed at the intersection of Douglas,
Madison and Halifax;
·
Increased
RCMP speed enforcement; and
·
Removal
of SkyTrain street parking on Halifax.
Staff informed the delegation of the
proposed changes to the intersection of 1st Avenue, Gilmore Avenue and
Douglas Road, advising that the changes will be implemented once development
in the area has been completed.
Traffic counts were conducted at the
intersection of Douglas Road, Halifax Avenue and Madison Avenue and the findings
indicated that a crosswalk is not currently warranted across the east-west
through movement along Douglas/Halifax. However, a crosswalk (parallel lines)
can be marked across the south leg across Madison which is currently stop
sign controlled. Staff will continue to monitor the intersection to see
if/when a pedestrian crosswalk or signal may be warranted across the
east-west through movement of Douglas/Halifax. Staff will also install a
crosswalk (parallel lines) on the south leg of Rosser Avenue at Halifax Street
to help guide pedestrians and forewarn motorists. In regard to the entrance
into the businesses at the north/west corner of Madison and Lougheed,
motorists travelling north on Madison Avenue are already restricted from
making a left turn into the parking lot during peak traffic hours.
Staff advised that Halifax Street is
classified as a Major Collector Route which does not allow for speed
hump installation. A restricted left turn from Halifax Street onto Rosser
Avenue is not recommended as this would restrict access to residences and
businesses in the area. The installation of dedicated lanes for
entering/exiting residential parkades is also not recommended because it may
increase congestion and create more of a hazard.
Staff undertook to request that ICBC
and RCMP conduct SpeedWatch sessions on this section of Halifax Street in an
effort to slow motorists down and bring attention to the allowable speed
limits for the area.
RCMP advised that while conducting
speed checks, they have also observed that pedestrians are not utilizing the
crosswalks.
In conclusion, staff will mark the east/west
crosswalks on the south leg of Rosser Avenue at Halifax, and on the south leg
of Madison Avenue at Halifax; ICBC and RCMP will conduct SpeedWatch and follow-up
enforcement as required; and City staff will continue to monitor area.
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