No immediate decisions will be made on possibly changing traffic patterns on a Vernon road.
Upwards of 50 people attended an open house Wednesday to discuss a proposal that could see through traffic and left-hand turns limited at key intersections on 25th Street, from Pleasant Valley Road to 46th Avenue.
It’s expected the concept won’t go before city council for final approval in July as feedback from residents in the neighbourhood is sought.
“We are looking forward to hearing the public’s input,” said Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe.
The proposal calls for 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.
City staff say the plan was developed because residents on 25th Street are upset about speed and the volume of vehicles trying to avoid 27th Street.
“They are short-cutting and not accessing properties there,” said Amanda Watson, a municipal transportation technician.
Watson believes one indication of a problem is a high rate of pets being killed by vehicles.
“Parents are concerned about children walking and biking along these streets,” she said of the area.
However, Ruth Haskivich, who has lived on 25th Street for 48 years, insists there is not a safety issue.
“Very few people are using it to avoid 27th Street. There are just more people living in the neighbourhood,” she said.
“They think this will calm traffic down but it won’t. Speeding is not happening at the corners but in between.”
Haskivich is recommending pedestrian-operated crosswalk lights and a sidewalk.
“We only want a simple solution that benefits everyone,” she said.
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.
“There were more people in support (Wednesday) than opposed but one meeting is not everything,” said Watson.
“We have given them multiple options for them to put input forward.”
