Colwood is committed to involving residents in increasing the comfort and safety of their neighbourhoods.
This spring the City installed traffic calming pilot projects in several neighbourhoods to test and assess various methods for managing vehicle traffic and increasing the comfort of all users.
The City designed and implemented measured for approximately 90 days and encouraged feedback to help determine whether the measures were effective.
Each pilot project will help the neighbourhood and the City clarify concerns, assess the effectiveness of various approaches and determine whether a similar measure should be implemented permanently at that location, or not.
Four 90-day pilot projects this spring
The first round of pilot projects will include four streets:
- Pickford Road - Speed cushions were installed before and after the Galloping Goose crossing. The cushions are intended to slow drivers down on this wide section of roadway and give pedestrians and cyclists an extra measure of safety when crossing on the Galloping Goose. On August 30, 2021 Colwood Council resolved to make these measures permanent, so the temporary cushions will be removed and replaced with permanent asphalt cushions. Council also directed staff to explore options for cycling signage that clarifies expectations for cyclists and drivers at this crossing.
- Mt. View Avenue - Three speed cushions were installed at regular intervals along the length of Mt. View Avenue. The speed cushions are intended to slow drivers down and increase the safety of pedestrians and cyclists as well as the comfort of the neighbourhood. On August 30, 2021 Colwood Council resolved to make these measures permanent, so the temporary cushions will be removed and replaced with permanent asphalt cushions. The report also noted that the community would like to see traffic calming explored near the roundabout and business frontage on Mt. View.
- Adye Road - Road markings called ‘sharrows’ were painted on both sides of Adye Road between Kelly Road and Hatley Memorial Gardens to reinforce this route as a cycling connection between the Galloping Goose and surrounding neighbourhoods. The painted ‘sharrows’ are intended to remind drivers that bicycles and vehicles must share the road. The paint will also visually narrow the driving surface of the roadway which is one method for encouraging drivers to slow down. On August 30, 2021 Council resolved to keep the sharrows in place as the City prepares to design and scope a cycling greenway along this route.
- Milburn Drive - A temporary walkway was delineated with pickets between Hatley Drive and Hockering Road and speed cushions were installed before and after the walkway to encourage vehicles to slow down. In addition to providing physical and visual cues to encourage drivers to slow down, these measures are intended to allow residents to experience how a permanent sidewalk might impact parking and driveway access as well as pedestrian use. On August 30, 2021 Council resolved to make these measures permanent and add 2 more cushions and another section of 25 walkway pickets (although the pickets willl need to be removed during snow season to allow for safe snow plowing).
These are neighbourhoods where data about traffic speeds and volumes had been collected previously to assess the need for traffic calming.
Encouraging feedback on the Let's Talk Colwood page
Residents were encouraged to participate in evaluating these pilot projects by joining the discussion at LetsTalkColwood.ca.
We are grateful to residents for sharing their views about the impact these temporary measures have on each neighbourhood. The input provided will be critical in helping Council determine what steps will be taken in these and other areas.
Ongoing transportation planning in Colwood
These temporary traffic calming pilot projects are part of an ongoing program of transportation planning and upgrade initiatives in Colwood. Read about the many projects related to traffic modeling, traffic monitoring, new sidewalks and cycling routes, trail connections, intersection upgrades, transit improvements and more at www.colwood.ca/GoColwood.
