City of Chilliwack has been reviewing options for boosting the number of parking spaces in the downtown core.
The latest idea under consideration, with plans to discuss it with the Downtown Chilliwack Business Improvement Association, is converting part of Victoria Avenue to a one-way street eastbound from Young Road.
Council voted Tuesday to look at this option in detail.
The existing parallel parking spaces would be transformed into angle parking on the south side.
That would create 18 new parking spaces, according to the engineering report in the Feb. 18 council agenda package, and might impact about six residences.
READ MORE: Chilliwack embarked on parking study
There was awareness the one-way street proposal might meet with some opposition.
“The change to the traffic pattern may be considered as negative by some property owners in the Downtown,” according to the report. “A communication and consultation strategy, utilizing the BIA organization is recommended.”
The proposed works would include removal of the existing traffic island at Young Road, new roadway markings,
and installing signage and delineators explaining the new traffic patterns.
The idea is to try it out first.
“To make the proposed changes for the lowest cost, on a trial basis, the proposed budget of $16,500 based on the estimated cost of median removals, signs, road marking changes, and flexible delineators to create the desired change to the road configuration,” concluded the staff report.
Additional costs to install sidewalks and curbs, along with associated drainage revisions to make the changes on a permanent basis and provide opportunity for beautification, would be an additional $26,000.
That would be included in the city’s 2021 budget if the trial is successful.
READ MORE: Freeing up on-street parking
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