The city's proposing modifications at a five-leg intersection in Sapperton.
A city staff report states that safety improvements have been made at two Sapperton intersections - East Eighth Avenue at Buchanan Avenue, and East Eighth Avenue at William and McKay streets.
Improvements are also being proposed at two other intersections in Sapperton - East Eighth Avenue at Cherry/Sherbrooke and Devoy streets, and East Eighth Avenue at Richmond Street.
According to the staff report, assessments of the intersections were undertaken in response to concerns expressed by the public. More than 17,000 vehicles travel along East Eighth Avenue each day.
A staff report considered by council at its April 8 meeting outlined the improvements being proposed at East Eighth Avenue at Cherry, Sherbrooke/Devoy streets, where the five-leg intersection would be reduced to a three-leg intersection by closing access to East Eighth Avenue from Sherbrooke and Devoy streets.
The intersection is considered a "five-leg" intersection because traffic meets at this point from five directions - Devoy Street, Sherbrooke Street, Cherry Street and north and south bound vehicles on East Eighth Street.
Coun. Betty McIntosh expressed concern that complete road closures often become a "major impact" and suggested a right-only access on East Eighth Avenue at Sherbrooke.
When you drive around communities that have full closures, she said it often creates "risky movements" by motorists and "havoc" for emergency providers.
Coun. Lorrie Williams agreed with McIntosh, saying she doesn't think a complete closure is a good idea at this location.
City transportation engineer Jerry Behl said staff would take the suggestion to the neighbourhood traffic advisory committee and residents' associations.
He said staff spoke to the B.C. Ambulance Service, and it didn't have any issues with the proposal.
Behl said residents like the idea of improved crosswalk in the area.
A new crosswalk would cross East Eighth Avenue between Devoy and Cherry streets.
In addition to a new crosswalk, the proposal would also see two new curb extensions created on East Eighth Avenue. The city believes that the curb extensions would reduce vehicle speed on East Eighth Avenue.
Coun. Jonathan Cote suggested the matter also be referred to the advisory committee for transit, bicycles and pedestrians.
"This report does speak to pedestrian safety," he said.
At East Eighth Avenue and Richmond Street, the city is proposing full signalization of the intersection, signalized crosswalk with pedestrian push buttons, provision of cyclist push-button activation on Richmond Street approaches and retention and monitoring of the use of the existing pedestrian underpass.
Council directed staff to refer the results of an open house about the East Eighth Avenue crosswalks review to the city's neighbourhood traffic advisory committee, as well as the Massey-Victory Heights and McBride-Sapperton residents' associations.
