Intersection Recommendation Would See Motorists Driving In A Circle

On Monday afternoon Council were presented with the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) from consultants KGS Group.

It’s a report that if totally adopted would have people driving in circles at a major Thatcher Drive intersection.

The TMP looked at the present state of transportation alternatives - roads, sidewalks, bikes and transit - and then gave recommendations on what was good, what was needed and what the priorities should be now and into the future.

The TMP also addressed the issue of the necessity to provide regular maintenance to extend the life cycle of transportation infrastructure.

The $250,000 TMP also proposed transportation improvements in a prioritized list. The proposals are just suggestions and the City is under no obligation to undertake any of the proposed improvements.

One of the intersections looked at was the intersection of Thatcher Drive East, 9th Avenue NE and Diefenbaker Drive.

At the present time the intersection is a 4 Way Stop although in the past the question was raised at the time would it not be better to have traffic lights.

The traffic control lights idea was at that time not approved largely due to costs.

The proposed solution to increase and improve traffic flow at 9th Avenue NE and Thatcher Drive East is a roundabout - source Traffic Master Plan

The KGS group studied the intersection and proposed what may be considered a radical innovation - a roundabout or a traffic circle to replace the present intersection.

They assigned a medium priority of addressing traffic concerns at this gateway corridor intersection.

In questions Councillor Crystal Froese asked about pedestrian safety when it came to a roundabout.

Councillor Froese was told coincidentally it would be quite easy to ensure pedestrian safety due to the roadways’ layout.

“I’m not sure if someone set it up this way originally but it actually lines up” making it easy to ensure better pedestrian safety, was the response.

“From (a standpoint) of pedestrian safety we are set up with the proper crossing markings to split around and provide safety for pedestrians,” was the further reply.

Vehicles approaching the traffic roundabout would have to yield for any pedestrians crossing the road.

A roundabout would keep traffic moving day and night and motorists would not be waiting at traffic lights or a 4 Way Stop if there was no other vehicle at the intersection.

“It is important people are moving through this area,” Council was told, adding a roundabout would work better than a traffic signal for the surrounding businesses.

A roundabout would help prevent traffic being backed up blocking business accesses Council was additionally told.

“For many reasons a roundabout is a better solution.”

I think roundabouts are a better solution…it keeps traffic moving day and night. A roundabout has more capacity than an intersection with a traffic signal,” was something Council heard.

“They are incredibly safe and traffic signals aren’t incredibly safe.”

He also pointed to a roundabout also being a more environmental solution than traffic lights as there is no need to pay for power.

Councillor Kim Robinson said he supported the idea of a traffic circle.

He joked he knew of a city that had a traffic circle where five roads intersected.

Mayor Clive Tolley spoke about the high number of roundabouts in England and how efficient they were.

The Mayor said that country has very few traffic lights as an example supporting the roundabout idea.

Stayed tuned as we will put out a full report on the Traffic Master Plan sometime later this week.