Saskatoon making changes to high collision intersection – Saskatoon | 24CA News

At a public listening to Wednesday afternoon, Saskatoon metropolis council addressed a metropolis report making modifications to the intersection at Clarence Avenue and Main Street.

“Administration recommends channelization on Main Street. Channelization involves modifying the existing median on both Main Street approaches to create right turn only lanes,” stated Saskatoon director of transportation Jay Magus.

This would imply drivers travelling east or west on Main Street will not have the ability to drive straight via, or flip left onto Clarence Avenue.

The assessment isn’t the primary time Saskatoon metropolis council has mentioned the problem. A assessment was carried out in 2002, in addition to 2013. Both critiques resulted in the identical advice because the report on Wednesday; nevertheless, on account of opposition from close by residents, the modifications weren’t applied on the time.

The metropolis report states issues are nonetheless being raised to administration and collisions proceed.

“Between 2016 and 2020, there were a total of 35 collisions at the intersection of which 17 were right-angle, again the more severe type of collision compared to a rear end or side swipe,” stated Magus.

He added these 17 collisions resulted in 4 accidents.

In the two-year span from 2021 to 2022, there have been 16 whole collisions, 13 right-angle collisions, and 12 resulted in accidents.

“Obviously there is a disturbing trend, and we have a safety issue at this intersection,” added Magus.

Residents of close by neighbourhoods took the prospect to talk to council on the matter, many differing in opinion.

“In short, this plan creates more problems than it solves. It fails to consider the increasing density of the street, it drives traffic onto streets that are largely unequipped to handle it, and it disturbs the integrity of the neighbourhoods,” stated close by resident Roberta Coulter.

“The community has changes in a way that we’re seeing a lot more young couples, families starting, we’re seeing more a lot more pedestrians, children, and cyclists and being able to provide safety for them through this solution I think is a great benefit,” added Steven Thomson of Varsity View.

Administration stated it did take into account a wide range of different choices, together with eradicating timber to enhance sight line, using an all-way cease, and site visitors alerts.

Council acknowledged the battle of constructing all residents within the space completely satisfied, however finally determined to help the administration’s advice with a unanimous vote.

The modifications embody the channelization set up, a bicycle sign, and a pedestrian-actuated sign modification, all costing town a complete of $150,000.

Residents can count on the modifications to be made throughout this calendar 12 months.

&copy 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.