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
Environment Canada extends heat warnings for several provinces across the country
Environment Canada has extended heat warnings in a number of provinces, as unseasonably hot conditions continue across the country.

Forest fire has been burning for close to two weeks in central Newfoundland
A state of emergency remains in place for central Newfoundland, as well as a provincewide outdoor fire ban, as a long-burning forest fire continues to grow.
Masks will not be mandatory in Ontario schools next semester
Students in Ontario schools will not be required to wear masks come the fall semester, the Ministry of Education confirmed Monday.
China extends threatening military exercises around Taiwan
China said Monday it was extending threatening military exercises surrounding Taiwan that have disrupted shipping and air traffic and substantially raised concerns about the potential for conflict in a region crucial to global trade.
What you need to know about getting COVID-19 antiviral medication Paxlovid in Canada
Pfizer’s antiviral medication Paxlovid is designed to reduce the risk of hospitalizations in patients with COVID-19. It’s approved for use in Canada, but the rules about who can prescribe and dispense it vary by province.
Occupancy exceeded: Banff, Alta., home possessed more than 40 beds
Alberta Health Services has issued an enforcement order against a Banff home after an inspection discovered that as many as 42 people were staying inside the property, saying the maximum number of occupants of the facility 'was exceeded.'
More human remains discovered as drought dries Lake Mead
More human remains have been found at drought-stricken Lake Mead National Recreation Area east of Las Vegas, authorities said Sunday.
How to get into the housing market if you're gen Z or millennial
For millennial and gen Z Canadians, owning a home in this real estate market might seem like a pipe dream. In an exclusive column for CTVNews,ca personal finance contributor Christopher Liew offers some strategies to consider if you can’t afford the housing market yet.
Multiple people in hospital, suspect shot after machete attack on Vancouver's Granville Street
Five people, including a suspect, were taken to hospital with serious injuries after a violent incident that drew a massive police presence to downtown Vancouver's main entertainment district Saturday night.