By Justine Kelsie

City says traffic lights on 132 Avenue not yet warranted

Jan 23, 2018 | 3:15 PM

The Grande Prairie and District Catholic School Board is looking for some additions to the area near the new Arbour Hills School.

In a letter to the City of Grande Prairie, Board Chair Michael Ouellette asks for a controlled crosswalk at 108 Street and 132 Avenue, and City Transit Service at St. John Paul II Junior-Senior Catholic High School. He also asks for a set of traffic lights at 132 Avenue and Arbour Hills Boulevard or 132 Avenue and 108 Street.

Safety is a top priority for the children going to the school, according to Ouellette. They are hoping to have these three things in place by the end of August 2018.

“We know the city has a lot of priorities, but our job is to advocate for the kids. It is a high priority for the board.”

City administration says there are no immediate plans to put up lights at either of those intersections as it is not warranted under federal standards.

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“These warrants look at a number of different factors–the number of lanes, the traffic approaching from the side road, and the number of collisions,” said Robin Hutchison, Transportation and Safety Engineer Supervisor. “It’s not just a single factor that we are looking at. At this moment in time, the traffic signal warrant for 132nd Ave and 108th Street, I believe, stood at forty-seven.“

Hutchinson explains that the number would need to reach 100 before the lights were warranted in this location. In order to bump that number up with the amount of traffic alone, there would need to be approximately a 30-percent increase in vehicles traveling the area, according to the supervisor. Right now, there are about 7,000 automobiles in the area each day. City administration is continuing to monitor as the school opens. 

As for the controlled crosswalk, Hutchinson says they can’t look at making one until there are pedestrian walkways to connect to, but the city will be keeping it on their radar. 

Kristine Donnelly, Engineering Services Manager, explains that there were a few things completed in the area in conjunction with the land developer. The access to the school site intersection has been widened, street lighting has been added, and a pathway will be developed in the summer to connect the school with existing walkways in the Royal Oaks neighbourhood. 

Donnelly explains that education and enforcement are also important for the school board to keep in mind when it comes to safety. She says to draw attention to the children heading to the new building in late-February, enforcement services will be on the premises to remind people that school is in session. 

On top of lobbying the city for traffic lights and crosswalks, the school’s council chair also weighed in on some issues. In a letter to the city, Jason Gunther is asking for a lower speed limit on the nearby highway and the immediate installation of school zone signage. There are plans in the works for temporary signage during the winter months with permanent signage to be installed once the snow melts, according to Donnelly.

You can read both letters to the city and county here.