It’s certainly no secret that we have traffic flow issues in our fair city, especially in the summer. The city powers-that-be keep coming up with small, so-called improvements to try to take some of the volume off of 27th and 32nd streets by wasting money making side streets narrower for cars and wider for cyclists and pedestrians only to see a very marginal increase in those types of traffic any way. And much to the dismay of many drivers and residents that have to travel and park on those streets, less room.
Clearly, these plans are not necessarily working as intended, ( 20th Street by Harwood school anyone?).
In this very paper last year or so, one of our city engineers stated that we would see gridlock on both 32nd and 27th streets if we don’t make those improvements. Well, instead of buying a bunch of Band-Aids, why don’t we opt for some street surgery to fix the issues long-term?
Imagine this, you’re driving north on 32nd Street, and need to turn left and all you have to do is make sure you’re in the farthest left lane to make your turn without waiting for oncoming traffic. Imagine waiting at the stop sign on 35th Avenue, facing east, trying to turn left to get to the mall. All you have to do is turn into the closest lane and start heading there.
There would be many breaks in the traffic for you to do so and far less accidents. Why? Because all traffic would be heading north.
You’re on 35th Avenue, again, at 27th Street, by Beairsto school, trying to go straight across and it takes 20 seconds instead of one minute and 20 seconds because there are more frequent breaks in the traffic and they are larger. Why? Because all are heading south! This would also ease the congestion behind you as others wait for their turn. Many side streets and secondary main streets would be much less congested.
Our city is set up perfectly to have two, one-way thoroughfares much like West Kelowna. The major cost would be an extension from the south end of 27th Street, with the construction of an elevated route ( minimum two-lane ) going above and along the railway tracks between Polson Park and Kal Tire’s corporate office and curving up to meet Highway 97 somewhere by the DND.
Semi-trucks would get through much faster and perhaps have a dedicated lane along the routes through town. Some of the stress would be taken off of Highway 6 by Polson Park and along 25th Avenue there as well.
There would be much fewer accidents. Driver frustration and delays would drop. Most side streets can remain as is. Most major intersections can remain as is. There would be no gridlock and traffic flow would be much smoother.
This would also address safety concerns somewhat by Beairsto and with traffic flowing smoother and moving greater distances without delays, that adds up to less pollution also.
I believe this option needs to be looked at again, as it was around 30 years or so ago, but with a can-do attitude. It’s a big one yes, but it would be worth it.
Rory I. White
