District council is asking municipal staff to consider creating three speed tables for Highlands Way North this year, should budgeting circumstances allow.
"I think that this course of action is appropriate, and, hopefully, we can positively affect the issues in this area as quickly as possible with the knowledge that, as outlined in the report, there's more work to come," said Coun. Armand Hurford.
"I do think that the risk with this is that we spend a bit of money to improve safety, and then we have to take this piece apart as we improve safety, yet again, down the line. But I'd like to see as many things in place as soon as possible, and this feels like low-hanging fruit. So I look forward to seeing this implemented as soon as possible in making this area as safe as we can, as soon as we can."
Mayor Karen Elliott noted that the District should remember to look at the overall picture, as there are other hotspots in the community that haven't received the same attention.
On Oct. 12, staff presented a report to elected officials that summarized community feedback for calming traffic measures around Highlands Way North and Perth Drive.
Previously, a community survey was launched after residents voiced their concerns that traffic in that area, which is adjacent to Garibaldi Elementary, poses a significant danger to children.
The area has earned itself a reputation for being a potential traffic hazard. Residents have complained that vehicles tend to go over the speed limits at that location, which is a school zone.
As a result, this year, the municipality released a survey that asked residents about traffic calming measures in that area. The findings were detailed at the Oct. 12 meeting.
Two potential solutions were highlighted by staff.
The first was the creation of raised crosswalks and a speed table.
According to the report to council, this option was either supported or very much supported by 45% of respondents, with another 14% indicating a neutral level of support. It was unsupported or very unsupported by 41% of respondents.
The main concern residents had about this option was that it would not be enough to address speeding concerns. Staff said 165 respondents marked this down as their biggest problem with the proposal.
The next biggest concern was that it would shift traffic over to Perth Drive. Staff reported 123 people ranked this as their main problem.
Ultimately, staff recommended that the municipality start taking action to make this proposal happen.
In their report, staff said it will address some of the speeding concerns at a low cost and may also divert a small amount of traffic over to Perth Drive. Diverting a small amount of traffic is reasonable at this point as currently there is more traffic on Highlands Way North than Perth Drive.
A traffic counter will be installed on both Highlands Way North and Perth Drive to determine the amount of traffic diverted, they said.
A second proposal was also highlighted by municipal bureaucrats.
This idea would be to implement bike and pedestrian paths on both sides of the road.
It would install a sidewalk or bike lane on the west side from The Boulevard to Pia Road, or initiate upgrades to both sides from The Boulevard to Portree Way.
Staff said it could be done in one to three years, depending on funding availability.
This option was supported or very supported by 78% of respondents, with another 11% who were neutral. It was unsupported or very unsupported by 11% of respondents.
The top priority for 200 of the respondents was a sidewalk on the west side of Perth, which is the same side as Garibaldi Highlands Elementary.
The next biggest priority was a sidewalk on the east side, 65 respondents said. Finally, an uphill bike lane separated from traffic was the third highest priority, with 50 people ranking that as their top wish.
Staff recommended that this option be pursued, but only as funding allows.
That's because it comes with a hefty $1.4-million price tag.
A recent funding application to the BC Active Transportation Infrastructure grant for a portion of this project was unsuccessful, the staff report reads. However, staff will continue to look for funding opportunities and consider design alternatives.
