Calgary looks at adding traffic signals at 3 John Laurie Blvd. intersections
The City of Calgary says it is looking at installing traffic signals at three intersections along John Laurie Boulevard N.W. to improve safety.
The intersections are located at Brisebois Drive, Charleswood Drive and 19th Street N.W.
"Because Charleswood as well as 19th and Brisebois do not have lights at the intersections it's quite challenging in order to either turn left from those collector roads onto John Laurie or to turn left from John Laurie onto the collector roads," said area resident Lori Santink.
Santink and her husband Nic moved into a house on Charleswood Drivew N.W. in July. They regularly hear horns honking and screeching tires just north of their home.
"Definitely something has to be done, it's an accident waiting to happen."
On Nov. 17, the couple saw the aftermath of a crash where a pickup truck caught fire closing John Laurie for some time. Four days later another collision.
"This time fortunately no vehicles caught on fire," she said. "But it looked to be a multiple vehicle collision as well, again traffic being diverted, again a number of emergency vehicles being called out."
Santink reached out to her area councillor Sean Chu.
"His basic response was that they've put up the infrastructure to look at putting in lights at a later date, no further conversation with him," said Santink.
A spokesperson with the Brentwood Community Association says "In non-peak traffic times most residents try to avoid turning left (at those intersections) and will use Shaganappi Trail instead. Right hand turns have been made safer by the new improved paving as well as longer entrance ramps off Brisebois."
While it may seem like there are many crashes at those uncontrolled intersections, Calgary Police Service officials say those locations didn’t crack their list of the top 20 locations with the most collisions in 2020.
Pat Grisak, the coordinator of traffic management with the City of Calgary, says all three spots need to be changed.
"Over the past several years, the number of collisions that have occurred at all three intersections has increased," Grisak said.
"Traffic safety is a paramount concern for The City of Calgary, and the three intersections on John Laurie Boulevard N.W. require traffic signals to address the collision issues that are occurring along the corridor."
Grisak noted traffic signals at Brisebois Drive would also provide the community a "much desired, safe crossing for pedestrians walking to Nose Hill Park."
The criteria the city uses to determine if traffic signals are needed at an intersection include an analysis of traffic volumes, traffic operations/intersection delay and safety performance.
"An analysis to determine what the impacts on John Laurie Boulevard N.W. traffic will be with all three intersections signalized has been undertaken," Grisak said. "Traffic signals will have an impact, however, it is anticipated that traffic operations will remain acceptable."
Grisak says the city will be holding public engagement sessions on the matter. Though dates have yet to be set, he says they're likely to happen in early or mid 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.