Calling for action
Councillor says new development increases urgency for improvements to city intersection
The construction of a 23-unit apartment building is increasing the urgency for the city to make overdue safety improvements to the Queen and Pond streets intersection, says one city councillor.
Coun. Mitch Tweel raised the issue of improving safety at the intersection during last month’s council meeting.
Tweel called on the implementation of recommendations made in a report commissioned by the city about seven years ago.
“There is more of an urgency now, more than ever. I say that because of the 23-unit apartment building being constructed on Pond Street,” Tweel said during the meeting.
“It’s going to intensify the intersection, I believe we need to make those enhancements and improvements in terms of visibility.”
Coun. Jason Coady, who chairs the city’s protective and emergency services committee, later told The Guardian the intersection was discussed among the committee earlier in the fall, but there are no immediate plans for the area.
However, he said the increased development may require the committee to take another look at the intersection.
“With the increased development, there’s going to be some increased traffic in the area. We can revisit this in the near future,” said Coady.
Tweet has raised the issue previously and said he felt ignoring the report’s recommendations was reckless and irresponsible.
The report, which was completed by ADI Limited, was released in March 2011.
Among a number of other recommendations that could be implemented, the report stated traffic lights were not warranted at the time but would be if there was a sufficient increase in traffic.
The report said also stated future events should result in a further evaluation of a traffic signal would include any new nearby developments or a diversion of pedestrian traffic from the nearby Royalty Court crosswalk if a landowner ever prohibited access.
Tweel said both of those have already occurred since the report.
He also said he was concerned due to the variety of residents, community groups and businesses in the area.
Apart from homes, the surrounding area includes two schools, Holy Redeemer Church and Jack Blanchard Hall, a provincial liquor store and a number of restaurants and businesses.
“The list goes on and on,” said Tweel. “Hopefully we can have the discussion in the new year… the urgency is just growing and growing. Let’s make it safer for not only pedestrian traffic, students, but let’s make it safer to vehicle traffic as well.”