Dave Sutherland, a former RCMP Traffic Analyst/Accident Reconstructionist, has shared his grave concerns for traffic safety and taxpayer liability on video and we sincerely appreciate his expertise.
Save Simms Creek is unaware of any Traffic Impact Assessment prepared by a Professional Transportation Engineer for WestUrban or the City.
- WestUrban’s proposed vehicle access for 200 units/315 parking spaces on the 6% steep grade on Alder Street has not been addressed in the development application or the City’s proposed Master Transportation Plan (MTP)
- The long-term MTP goals for Alder Street will create more complex safety concerns as they include the addition of bike lanes
- The City already classifies the Rockland Road and Alder Street intersection as a high collision zone with two to four accidents annually (per Alder Street Corridor Review, September 30, 2014)
- Galerno Road is an unsuitable alternative access to the proposed development due to its designation as a bicycle route and residential street
Mr. Sutherland has expressed further concerns, critically:
- City liability and an ultimate cost to taxpayers is likely in the event road design/maintenance is found to be a contributing factor in any collision involving a fatality or serious injury
- Left turns are dangerous on 6% steep grades and are unprecedented in our community – access to the proposed development would likely involve a downhill left turn, hazardous in itself and compounded by moving vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles
- Forces involved in turning left even at low speeds can overwhelm even experienced drivers – grade, speed and road surface (weather) all impact safety
- Commercial vehicles are at high risk of roll over
- Actual speed of traffic is greater than the posted speed of 50 kph – the true speed of descending traffic (85 percentile) is 60 to 70 kph after light braking and deceleration techniques
- Poor conditions, particularly in winter, are amplified due to shade, ice and snow
Save Simms Creek has obtained traffic statistics from the RCMP through a Freedom of Information request. Citizens On Patrol (COPs) gathered these statistics on South Alder at the Sportsplex.
2023-May-10 1000-1400 hrs
1149 vehicles
53 travelling at 50 km/h +
47 travelling at 60 km/h +
2023-Jun-14 1000-1400 hrs
1556 vehicles
115 travelling at 50 km/h +
49 travelling at 60 km/h +
2023-Aug-11 1000-1400 hrs
1623 vehicles
271 travelling at 50 km/h +
96 travelling at 60 km/h +
Please continue to write letters to City Hall as this remains the most effective method to have our voices heard. It is important to ensure both WestUrban and the City fulfill their obligations of due diligence on this proposed project. You may wish to ask the City to:
- Require WestUrban to submit a Traffic Impact Assessment before any hearing or decision by Council on the developer’s height variance application.
- Share this Assessment with the community and invite and consider the public’s input.
- Complete a thorough review of this Assessment with particular attention to traffic safety and taxpayer liability.
- Delay hearing WestUrban’s height variance application until the City has full confidence access to the proposed development can be built, maintained and used safely.