ICBC invests $396,000 to help make Kelowna and area roads safer in 2013
Roundabouts, new crosswalks and designated turning lanes are the types of road improvement projects ICBC invested in B.C. last year to help make roads safer for everyone, including pedestrians and cyclists.
In 2013, ICBC invested approximately $396,000 in 21 road improvement projects to help make Kelowna and area roads safer for everyone, including drivers and pedestrians.
“ICBC’s road improvement program works in partnership with municipalities and our Ministry to help make our roads and highways safer,” said Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “This program is a great example of successful partnerships as it brings together numerous stakeholders to help ensure safety remains a top priority when roads and highways are designed or upgraded in communities across the province.”
ICBC launched its road improvement program in 1990, and since then has invested approximately $120 million in road improvement projects and safety studies across B.C. In 2013, ICBC invested approximately $1.7 million in the Southern Interior and $8 million in projects and safety audits across the province.
“Everyone benefits from road improvements – from drivers to pedestrians – because safer roads mean fewer crashes, which also translates into lower claim costs,” said John Dickinson, ICBC’s director of road safety. “We’ll continue to invest in road safety initiatives that help us keep rates as low as possible.”
All proposed road improvement projects are assessed based on their ability to make roads safer. The most recent evaluation of the program concluded that over a two year time period, overall, for every dollar invested, ICBC and its customers see a return rate of five times the investment. More importantly, the benefits of road improvements can continue well beyond two years. The evaluation found that following a project’s implementation, there is on average, a 20 per cent reduction in severe crashes and a 12 per cent reduction in property damage crashes.
ICBC also participates in engineering studies and assists communities in the planning of roadways and managing traffic.
As road improvements are made, drivers may also need to adopt new driving behaviours, such as adjusting to traffic pattern changes and understanding the rules of the road. The majority of crashes are preventable and have more to do with driver error than road engineering. Drivers need to do their part by making smart driving decisions to prevent crashes.
Over the last 24 years, ICBC’s road improvement program has evolved significantly – community investments and successful partnerships have led to award winning projects and the contributions have helped advance the knowledge of the road safety engineering industry in B.C. and across Canada.
Road improvement projects completed in Kelowna and area in 2013:
Highway 33, Muir Road to Mills Road
- Project description: Improved signal, signing, delineation, sight distance, lighting and bus pullouts
- Partner: Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
- ICBC contribution: $89,600
Highway 97 at Burtch Road
- Project description: Installation of northbound protected left-turn phase on highway
- Partner: Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
- ICBC contribution: $9,500
Highway 97 at Gordon Drive
- Project description: Installation of westbound protected left-turn phase on Gordon Drive and northbound on highway
- Partner: Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
- ICBC contribution: $14,400
Highway 97 at Cooper Road
- Project description: Installation of southbound left-turn phase on highway
- Partner: Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
- ICBC contribution: $8,900
Highway 97 at Cooper Road, Spall Road and Dilworth Drive
- Project description: Installation of pedestrian countdown timers
- Partner: Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
- ICBC contribution: $10,000
Highway 97 at Ellis Street, Water Street, Ethel Street and Gordon Street
- Project description: Installation of pedestrian countdown timers
- Partner: Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
- ICBC contribution: $8,000
At seven intersections in Kelowna
- Project description: Installation of uninterrupted power supply (UPS) systems at seven locations in Kelowna
- Partner: City of Kelowna
- ICBC contribution: $17,500
Lakeshore Road and Eldorado Road
- Project description: Installation of flexible bollards and curbs around Anne McClymont School to help provide separation between vehicles and pedestrians during peak congested times
- Partner: City of Kelowna
- ICBC contribution: $5,000
Guisachan Road at Wilkinson Street and Water Street at the Dolphins
- Project description: Installation solar powered pedestrian activated flashing warning lights at two marked and signed crosswalks
- Partner: City of Kelowna
- ICBC contribution: $5,000
At 20 locations in Kelowna
- Project description: Installation of bike detection equipment that activates the traffic signal on the approach of designated bike lanes at 20 major intersections Partner: City of Kelowna
- ICBC contribution: $20,000
At various locations throughout Kelowna
- Project description: Installation of green surface treatment on ten multi-use crossings throughout the city and on conflict areas at 11 intersections
- Partner: City of Kelowna
- ICBC contribution: $35,200
Rutland Road from McIntosh Road to Leathead Road
- Project description: Conversion of a four-lane road to three lanes including a travel lane in each direction, a two-way left-turn lane with left-turn bays at key intersections and bicycle lanes on each side.
- Partner: City of Kelowna
- ICBC contribution: $15,000
Mountain Avenue and Corner Road
- Project description: Raised crosswalk and curb extensions, new sidewalk on east side of Corner Road and sidewalk on south side of Mountain Avenue
- Partner: City of Kelowna
- ICBC contribution: $15,000
Springfield Road
- Project description: Installation of speed sensitive traffic signal that detects vehicles exceeding a target speed and activates a downstream traffic signal to turn all red in order to stop the speeding vehicle. (Multi-year project known as “Green Wave”)
- Partner: City of Kelowna
- ICBC contribution: $15,000
Highway 97 at Ross Road
- Project description: Installation of northbound left-turn phase on highway
- Partner: Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
- ICBC contribution: $7,500
Highway 97 at Elliot Road
- Project description: Installation pedestrian countdown timers
- Partner: Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
- ICBC contribution: $6,000
Lake Country
- Project description: Replacement of 100 stop signs to higher visibility diamond grade sheeting
- Partner: District of Lake Country
- ICBC contribution: $3,498
Peachland Princeton Avenue – Gummow Road to Turner Avenue
- Project description: Widening of a paved shoulder with concrete roadside barriers and/or steel guardrails, review and upgrading of all street signage, bus stop accessibility improvements and two speed reader boards
- Partner: District of Peachland
- ICBC contribution: $11,900
At 22 locations in the Southern Interior
- Project description: Installation of uninterrupted power supply (UPS) systems at 22 locations in the Southern Interior region
- Partner: Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
- ICBC contribution: $55,000
Road improvements projects to be completed in 2014:
Bernard Avenue – Abbott Street to Richter Street, Kelowna
- Project description: Continued corridor improvements (three year project started in 2012)
- Partner: City of Kelowna
- ICBC contribution: $39,640
West Kelowna’s Brown Road
- Project description: Corridor improvements
- Partner: District of West Kelowna
- ICBC contribution: $10,000
West Kelowna
- Project description: Installation of sidewalks and crosswalks
- Partner: District of West Kelowna
- ICBC contribution: $49,500
