Angle-parking expansion continues downtown
The conversion to angled parking continues in downtown Prince George.
Since the city began supporting the changes, a request to further consider the installation of angle parking on other downtown streets was accepted at a council meeting on Monday.
“I will walk three football fields to find parking that isn’t parallel parking,” said Coun. Terri McConnachie.
Since January 2014, council supported angled on Second Avenue, Fifth Avenue and Seventh Avenue as part of the city’s Capital Expenditure Program.
“Our organization has been so supportive of this,” says Colleen Van Mook, executive director at Downtown Prince George.
“It is easier and it does increase the number of stalls. We hope this leads to people slowing down so they can see the businesses in our lovely downtown. From what we’ve heard, most people love the angled parking and feel more comfortable.”
According to Downtown Prince George, project costs of $3 million included partial reconstruction of the bulb-outs (the sidewalk extension at each corner to allow drivers and pedestrians to see each other), fire hydrant relocation, street lamp installation, planter construction and traffic signal upgrades.
Future projects include enhancing the project on Fifth Avenue with the addition of planters and paint in the bulb out areas, completing the angled parking project on Second Avenue and Seventh Avenue, converting Second Avenue to a two way street and including four-way stops at appropriate intersections.
Also in part of the expenditure program is reconstruction of the bulb-outs and additional construction activities in the longer term.
Downtown Prince George has also requested that council direct administration to work with the province to facilitate the addition of traffic control signals at Queensway and First Avenue.
Angled parking has been proven to increase the amount of on street parking, provide faster and easier parking, calm traffic by narrowing the street and contribute to creating a better, safer and more accessible downtown.