EDMONTON — Traffic calming measures have become divisive issues for Edmonton residents. On Wednesday, pilot projects to calm traffic in six neighbourhoods were discussed at City Hall.
“The one thing we can conclude is there is no one easy answer that pleases everybody,” said Mayor Don Iveson at the transportation committee meeting. Some residents shared their concerns about dangerous short-cutting and speeding, and others expressed frustration over how the changes have affected the efficient flow of traffic.
Last summer traffic pilot projects were installed in two areas: Prince Charles in the northwest, and Pleasantview on the south side.
In Pleasantview, one-way traffic was introduced on 106th Street between 53rd and 56th Avenues. The goal was to reduce speeding, and force north-south traffic onto either Calgary Trail/Gateway Boulevard or 111th Street.
Instead, the project pitted residents against one another and against local drivers.
Some residents said the barricades only pushed traffic to side streets, while others thought it made their neighbourhood safer. In February the controversial one-way measures were removed, five months short of a one-year trial period.
READ MORE: Pleasantview traffic battle highlights issue of community decision-making
In Prince Charles, barriers went up in July 2015, cutting off access to and from the Yellowhead on 124th Street. Confused drivers were seen making U-turns once they got 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.
Resident Kim Olson said Wednesday the changes have gone well. “The people who live in the community are very happy about the lesser traffic volumes, being able to have more access to people walking, biking though the community in a safer manner,” she said.
Others said it was excessive. “We used to be able to go anywhere, now you can’t even get out of the neighbourhood,” said Maureen Esch with the Prince Charles Community League.
“Our community had gone to the city asking for some traffic calming measures and suddenly we get roads shut down, which has really changed our community.”
WATCH: City Council launched a pilot project to crack down on traffic shortcutting and speeding in a number of Edmonton neighbourhoods. Lisa Wolansky reports.
Four other neighbourhoods also saw traffic changes. In September 2015, speed bumps and detours were put in Crestwood in the west end, Ormsby Place in the Callingwood area of west Edmonton, Ottewell in the southeast Capilano area and Newton in the northeast.
READ MORE: Traffic calming measures coming to 4 more Edmonton neighbourhoods
“It just isn’t working,” said Ottewell resident Nell Jensen, in regards to whether the bumps and humps have helped with short-cutting or speeding. The neighbourhood is one of a handful that has a 40 km/h speed limit, instead of 50 km/h.
Mayor Iveson said the city is doing its best to balance residents’ mobility in their neighbourhoods against traffic concerns, and ensure there’s proper consultation. “Those things are always a fine balance for the city, and I think there’s much we can learn from the last couple of rounds.”
READ MORE: Following too closely? Edmonton’s top 10 intersections for crashes
The city is working on a policy to oversee community traffic management. It is expected sometime in June.
With files from Julia Wong, Global News
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