NIPAWIN —The Town of Nipawin has begun to look at problematic intersections and streets for a traffic study, which could result in additional stop signs or other changes.
As of June 24, the town started requesting proposals from professional organizations that have knowledge in traffic and pedestrian movement for selected areas of Nipawin. The goal is to improve traffic flow and safety while also providing a more enjoyable driving and walking experience to residents and visitors.
“It’s to review a number of concerns that have arisen over time with respect to traffic flow,” said Barry Elliott, Nipawin’s administrator. “So we’re looking at a number of specific areas in town, intersections and that sort of thing, that we’d like to have reviewed.”
The town have already highlighted a number of areas and included recommendations for the professional organizations to examine for changes.
“We’d like to make sure within the study they capture those areas of specific concern that have already arisen, as I indicated,” Elliott said. “A traffic study can be very, very large or very, very small or very specific. In this case there are some specific elements that they want incorporated into a bit of a larger review.”
Town council is ultimately in charge of approving any changes.
The final recommendation from the town is for a general area of assessment.
The speed limit throughout town is 50 kilometers per hour unless otherwise posted. There have been conversations to reduce the speed to 40 kilometers per hour.
The town is asking the expert to consider current speeds and what impact a lower speed limit would have when designing the improvements, safety of pedestrians and increase in reaction time.
Recommendations
- Examination of 1st Avenue East/West. The town stated that they believe some current stop signs have resulted in jerky traffic flow within and outside the downtown, in addition to increased traffic along Railway Avenue and 2nd Avenue.
- Examination of 2nd Avenue East/West. The town stated the street was not made for the higher levels of traffic it has.
- Left hand turns from minor to major roadway – specifically 9th Avenue onto Highway 35 and Maple Road onto Highway 35. The town stated that they believe jerky traffic from the downtown mixed with sporadic traffic heading north to the downtown makes left hand turns difficult.
- Examination for safe pedestrian crosswalk at the west side of Highway 35 and near the new skate park along Nipawin Road East/Highway 55.
- The town stated that pedestrians frequently walk to Tim Horton’s or the Co-op Grocery. No sidewalk currently exists. The town is recommending that to be examined for change.
- Examination of the usage of Railway Avenue East/West, otherwise called the “truck route”. The town is also requesting information on if the intersection of Nipawin Road West and Railway Avenue overall sufficient given the volume of truck and vehicle traffic.
- Recommendations to improve crosswalk location and safety on Maple Road. They also want options to replace a five-way stop intersection.
- General area of assessment
