Residents of Goldstream Avenue are saying less is definitely more.
Southbound traffic off the Trans-Canada Highway that once swooped onto the western end of Goldstream is no more, following the exit’s closure on Nov. 28.
Since the completion of the Leigh Road interchange project, with its new southbound exit off the TCH, residents have had three weeks to take in the changes. Seventeen-year resident Greg Craven said the sights and sounds – more accurately the lack thereof, has been music to his ears.
“I first moved in here fully knowing the southbound off-ramp from the highway was Goldstream (Avenue), but I didn’t have any idea the volume of traffic of supertankers, triple-axle dump trucks, logging trucks,” he said. “They take so much (space) and there is virtually no sidewalk, so anyone walking on the road was subject to get hit, which happened.”
Craven said it was a long time coming, but when the road was finally closed with the completion of the $5-million interchange project, it felt like a dream come true.
He estimated that traffic going past his house has dropped from 2,500 vehicles a day to approximately 50.
“It has been peaceful and tranquil ever since, it’s eerily quiet. It’s amazing how much the lack of traffic has improved the quality of life since this has happened,” Craven said. “I can sit on my front porch and enjoy my front view, instead of watching logging trucks, (driving onto) Goldstream hot (very fast).”
Etta Connor retired to Goldstream Avenue four years ago, having moved from what she called a wonderful location in Cordova Bay.
She said she relocated for the lakeside view and didn’t expect the amount of traffic that regularly rolled past.
“Thank goodness,” she said of the closure. “That means we can walk up to the road, up to the park near the exit. It was pretty tricky trying to manoeuvre up there. Several seniors (in the area) like to walk and we enjoy having the safety returned.”
Connor said the house is in a wonderful location with friendly and caring neighbours and she couldn’t ask for a better neighbourhood. The traffic was the only exception, she said, and now that has been remedied.
“I drive and I am quite active and every time I get out of my driveway, across the street is the spot where (a pedestrian) was killed in February a couple years ago,” she said. “It was very tricky every time you go out there … You can see that it was a pretty nerve-wracking time on this street. Now it’s done and everything is beautiful.”
alim@goldstreamgazette.com
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