It seemed as if Chilliwack council was about to approve a new traffic light Tuesday for Chances Chilliwack at city hall.
The tender would cost a little more than a quarter of a million dollars. Instead council voted to refer the matter back to staff for another look.
Some councillors asked if the DCC funds could not be better spent at another intersection. They’d been set aside in the capital budget for 2013, and would come from the development cost charge (DCC) fund.
The staff recommendation was to award the tender for the “Young at Olds Traffic Signal” to Fraser City Installations for $266,760.46 not including taxes.
But Coun. Ken Popove said the idea was a bit of a “head-scratcher” for him.
“I don’t think there’s a need for a light there,” he said, adding he didn’t think the traffic volume warranted the cost of the new signal.
When the community gaming centre first opened, it was a “bit of a gong show,” Popove acknowledged, “but after that it worked fine as it is.”
City staff said the substantiation for the light had to do with vehicles turning frequently at that spot and accessing Young Road as they are going to or coming from the gaming centre.
“My question about it is one of priority,” said Coun. Chuck Stam.
He said he, like Coun. Popove, couldn’t see the need for the light in that location, and asked if staff could review the stats to see if the traffic warrants it.
“I don’t see any lineups of traffic waiting,” he said.
There was some question as to whether or not the tender could be delayed, and the issue of legality came up, but in the end council approved a motion to refer the matter back to staff for more information before a final vote.
jfeinberg@theprogress.com
Twitter.com/chwkjourno
