University Drive congestion addressed
City says complaints about delays were justified
The City has heard complaints about greater than usual traffic congestion on University Drive due to road construction in the area and has responded to alleviate those concerns.
“Everybody doesn’t like a delay period, but this one was exceptional,” said City of Lethbridge road infrastructure manager Richard Brummund. Brummund was addressing the multiple complaints received from the public earlier this week of extended delays along University Drive.
“I think we have listened and opened it up,” he added. “I think the complaints that came in were justified, and I hope we have reacted fast enough to help people get to where they need to go to. With construction there is always a delay, we can’t help that; however, we have to do the best we can to get the job done.”
The City announced Thursday afternoon it would be delaying improvements at McMaster Blvd. West, Macleod Dr. West and Mt. Burke Blvd. West to ease congestion on University Drive. On Friday, the length of the north/south green lights along the drive were also extended to help foster better traffic flow.
The City also announced additional signage will be added and dedicated flag people will be in place on University Dr., particularly around Community Stadium, during upcoming events.
“We don’t always know exactly where all the routes are, and what a change will do, but we do anticipate the traffic and congestion that could happen,” stated Brummund. “We thought we could handle it, but I think we were a little bit overwhelmed. We had a lot of comments from people going to daycares, schools and drop-offs, and we just felt it was necessary that we rethink this (traffic plan).”
Brummund also said delaying construction on those side streets and boulevards would have no noticeable impact on the timeline for construction of a new fire hall in the area. He reminded residents what West Lethbridge would gain after this short-term traffic pain was over.
“We are going to have a new fire hall, and that’s great for emergency services,” he said. “And we’re going to have a four-lane University Drive, which is going to relieve lots of traffic congestion that’s been building for the last five years. This is something we have to do today to accommodate not only the traffic of the day, but the traffic in the future.”
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