The traffic line changes made at various intersections around the city are just the beginning of what is a long-term plan for the city's transportation corridors, but they are necessary as the city continues to grow at the rate currently being experi
The traffic line changes made at various intersections around the city are just the beginning of what is a long-term plan for the city's transportation corridors, but they are necessary as the city continues to grow at the rate currently being experienced.
City council received a summary report on the extensive traffic study conducted for the city by Stantec Engineering at Monday's council meeting, which explains the research and rationale that lies behind the recent painting of arrows and lanes at intersections.
Mayor Debra Button said many concerns and comments have been relayed to her about the changes at the intersection of Third Street and Highway 39.
The Stantec engineer, Andre Seguin, explained that one of the challenges was to make changes within the confines of the existing curb-to-curb roadway; their recommendation is that in the long-term, that upgrades to the roadway intersection itself will be necessary to make it fully safe and effective.
In the meantime, the lanes and arrows made what improvements were possible within that road allowance, given the levels of traffic through that intersection with a high percentage of right-turning vehicles.
"We had to work within the lines that we have to optimize the movement of traffic at that intersection. Ideally we would like to see reconstruction of the intersection, but at the time that was not the direction we had received from council," said Seguin, adding the changes ordered would cost between $70,000 and $100,000 without road reconstruction.
Asked about the study's recommendation to install traffic lights at the intersection of Railway Avenue and Government Road, Mayor Button pointed out that many people have remarked "we're nuts" to consider such a move.
Seguin said one of the things that the city should look into for this intersection is a way to tie the lights to the passage of trains through the city, by having a more modern computerized light that can be pre-empted from its normal cycle. The city's current lights are all independent older lights that cannot be linked or synchronized, nor can the light cycles be altered to allow to different traffic levels at different times of day. This is one of the long-term recommendations Stantec is making, for the city to upgrade all traffic lights to this capability, as well to upgrade the lens of the lights from their current eight-inch diameter to the size used in most urban centres, 12-inch with LED lights to provide better visibility.
Seguin added, in answer to a council question, that a sensor that would alert motorists to an oncoming train would not add that much to the cost of the lights, saying it would be "under $20,000."
He added that the firm could have a second look at the some of the intersections to recommend minor adjustments that could be made to make them safer, such as moving back the stop lines at some intersections.
"It's something we could quickly identify for you, such as at which intersections this could be done and where there should be a setback for vehicles," he said.
"When change happens, there are going to be people who are uncomfortable with it," said Coun. Bill Rudachyk. "Leaving it as it was, was not an option, especially with our growing population. Adding lights is not a cheap venture either; it's going to be $22 million for all the kinds of changes we're going to need to make. This is something we have to get used to. Weyburn is changing, folks, Weyburn is changing."
Mayor Button said the changes make more sense once the report is seen, and suggested the abbreviated version that he provided in a power-point to council be put on the city's website so people can access it, rather than the very thick full traffic study that Stantec provided to council.
A request for a safety handrail is going to be looked into seriously, said Coun. Dick Michel, after a recent attempt by a resident to install a handrail on the steep stairs at Crescent Point Place was deemed unsafe.
The long-time resident of the city installed a prototype version of a handrail on a staircase at the rink, but it was removed as it did not meet current building code standards when inspected by a professional building inspector from Regina.
A report was given to the Facilities committee with recommendations on handrails, some of which require the removal of some seats to make possible, but the committee is looking into which option for a handrail is the best.
"We're taking this situation very seriously; it's not going to go away," said Coun. Michel of the issue. "We may have to eliminate some seating which we don't really want to do. It's a concern, but we're not going to let this slide under the table; it will be addressed."
Coun. Winston Bailey added that in the section of the arena he sits in, there are older people who "struggle because there's nothing to hang on to."
Coun. Michel agreed, and pointed out it's also difficult for a young mother carrying a child making her way up those stairs.
The Facilities committee also looked at the proposal for a new spray park in River Park, with design and cost estimates provided by facilities maintenance manager Greg Button, with a major component of the cost being the concrete pad for the park.
Some options were being looked at where the pad could be removed from the plans with the option of adding a concrete pad later; there were also suggestions to winterize the new bathrooms which would be built near the spray park, to allow for year-round recreational activities in River Park.
Coun. Nancy Styles said she applauds the idea of having a winterized bathroom facility there, as it would encourage winter sports such as cross-country skiing and skating on the river.
The Southeast Regional Library provided copies of their 2011 annual report and financial statements, and city manager Bob Smith indicated the regional body is seeking a three-per-cent increase in the levy paid by the City of Weyburn.
According to current numbers, he said, the three-per-cent increase would hike the levy from its current level of $285,000 to $326,000, although adding their budget for 2012 "is basically status quo."
Asked if the increase in the levy will be based on the higher census numbers for the city of Weyburn, Smith said if it is, the levy might be adjusted as what is wanted is the amount of the levy, not to pass on a huge increase to the city.
Coun. Michel said there was also a recent change in policy for the regional library system, where donations can now be made directly to the Weyburn Public Library. Prior to this, donations had to first go through the Regional Library before it was given to the local library branch.
