WATCH ABOVE: Two traffic pilot projects have been put in place in two residential communities to stop speeding, but some homeowners say they’re causing more chaos. Kendra Slugoski reports.
EDMONTON — Traffic changes have been put in place in two residential neighbourhoods, hoping to stop drivers from speeding and taking short cuts. But some homeowners say the traffic-calming designs are actually creating more chaos.
The pilot projects were set up in the Prince Charles and Pleasantview communities.
Last week, the city made the change in Pleasantview; 106 Street between 53 and 56 Avenues is now one way, closing access to northbound traffic.
But, homeowners in nearby south side neighbourhoods say the change is just pushing the problem to their streets.
“They’ve done nothing,” said Pleasantview resident Lynn Durbacz. “They’re just diverting it from one street to another… This is a residential street.”
“They need to put 106 Street back to the way it was,” she said.
The city said the one-way traffic decision was made in an effort to stop thousands of vehicles from cutting down 106 Street everyday. But Durbacz says the plan isn’t working. She showed Global News home video of impatient drivers ramping the sidewalks.
The city says the community voted in this option, however some residents are questioning the consultation process. The city says traffic on 106 Street was dangerous and something had to be done.
“The goal is to get the traffic on the roads that’s built to handle it,” said Stuart Tate, Pleasantview Traffic Committee.
“It’s been five days so the one thing I would ask is patience please.”
The city would like to keep the barriers in place for at least a year.
In the Prince Charles community, barriers went up at the beginning of July, cutting off access to and from the Yellowhead on 124 Street.
Confused drivers were seen making U-turns once they get to the blockade. In fact, the city had to put up traffic barriers across a grassy hill next to the street to stop motorists from driving over the hill to get through.
“A lot of traffic has come down this way,” said Jimi Darke, who lives in the Prince Charles neighbourhood. “People come up 124 expecting to turn around at the Yellowhead – obviously they can’t because that barrier is there – and there’s nowhere else to go.”
The city told Darke an interchange will eventually be built, but right now, there’s no money.
With files from Kendra Slugoski, Global News
Comments