Traffic

Traffic issues on the Ridge were high when there were no calming measures on 56th Avenue several years ago. At the time, rather than increase police monitoring, the City agreed to budget tax dollars to install "raised intersections" at various points along 56th Avenue and the work was subsequently completed. Speed surveys showed there was a marked decrease in average speeds along 56th Avenue as a result. There also appeared to be a reduction in the number of cars using 56th Avenue as a parallel route to #10 highway at times that the highway was slowed due to volume. The four-laning of #10 highway, which is in progress, should further reduce the use of 56th Avenue as a congestion avoidance route. However, during the course of construction of the four-laning of #10 highway there will likely be a resurgence of cars using 56th Avenue as an alternative.

Some residents have noted that the stop signs at the T-intersections with 56th Avenue, where the raised intersections are located, are not being observed. Cars are simply slowing down on their approach from 128th, 132nd and 136th Streets and completing turns while "cutting off" through traffic on 56th Avenue. There are also drivers traversing 56th Avenue at high speed over the raised intersections, choosing a faster drive over the potential damage to their vehicle. Might large blocking traffic circles be a timely consideration? In addition, some residents have requested additional raised sections along 120th Street, especially on the downhill portion where there is a problem with speeding vehicles.

It is notable that both the Corporation of Delta and the City of Surrey have committed significant tax dollars to traffic calming in other neighbourhoods since the installation of our raised intersections. These are cost-effective methods of calming traffic without the burden of police presence. Is it time to re-visit traffic calming? Are there areas other than 56th Avenue where residents are concerned about traffic volume and speed?

Colebrook School traffic issues

The area near the school on 125A Street has been identified as one area of concern. Anyone who has attempted to travel along 125A Street just before or after school knows that all rules of the road are suspended for these times. Parents double and triple park as they let their children off, U-turns are completed in the middle of the road, no stopping zones are ignored etc. Should the WPRRA actively pursue a solution for this and other locations?

PLEASE OBSERVE THE SCHOOL ZONE SPEED LIMIT WHEN YOU DRIVE IN THE SCHOOL ZONE BY COLEBROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. IT'S 30 KPH!!