While following the discussion re: a roundabout for the intersection of Village Way and Highway 19A, I keep asking myself: why does that intersection rate a roundabout? It has good lines of sight and left turn lanes in all directions. I have never had a problem turning there that a little patience couldn’t solve.
Let us instead consider the intersection of Memorial Avenue and Village Way. It has terrible lines of sight and no useful left or right turn lanes. The lack of the latter leads to pull outs and passes by traffic traveling north on Memorial, passes right in the intersection. I have witnessed this on a number of occasions and ask: what were they thinking? And this is at the new, improved (?) speed of 50 km/h.
A sure sign that this intersection is not working are the number of cars that avoid it by turning south on Berwick and then cutting along Veterans Way to reach Memorial. There they have to turn out on Memorial in a dicey location due to several streets coming together in a short space, but with much better sight lines.
Memorial/Village Way needs a proper light, with button for pedestrians, a couple of turn lanes and a pedestrian island.
I read that the Village Way/Highway 19A roundabout is a pet project of the mayor, but let’s consider the greater actual need for Qualicum Beach drivers and pedestrians. I can attest to the above as both a driver and pedestrian.
Valerie MelansonQualicum Beach
