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
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Trump hush money trial: Play-by-play on Day 2 of Stormy Daniels testimony
Adult film star Stormy Daniels took the stand for a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump's hush money case continues in Manhattan.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street
B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.