SIDEWALK ON 350TH AVE FROM 107ST TO TOWN LIMITS – COST EFFECTIVE PROPOSAL WHICH ACHIEVES THE NECESSARY END
Reason for This Proposal
To provide a cost effective alternative to the Town’s Construction Referendum which proposes ‘to construct a new sidewalk to provide a safe and more comfortable pedestrian environment on this busy street’. Project Budget $600,000.
Environmental Scan
This main artery into Town is in good paved condition. East bound from the Town Limits at 119th St, the roadway has a white edge line which provides a couple feet, generally, of pavement for non-motorized users. West bound from 107th St, 350th Ave provides a 6-8ft paved shoulder separated from the driving lane by a white edge line.
Non-motorized traffic on 350th Ave may include cyclists, walkers, runners, electric scooters and wheelchairs and roller bladers. There is some volume at ‘school rush hour’.
The Town’s Justification for the Construction Referendum Proposal
The Town’s handout from the Oct 27th open house provides no justification for a $600,000 expenditure. It states only that ‘a sidewalk was recommended in the 2006 smart growth on the ground report’.
anecdotally, I have read the Mayor‘s comments and letters in the Oliver Chronicle complaining about speeders on 350th Ave.
In addition at the Town’s open house, Mayor Hampson advised if there was a sidewalk on 350th Ave, drivers would see it and slow down. When asked, he said he did not know of any serious vehicle/pedestrian conflict incidents.
The Officer in Charge of the Oliver RCMP advised that 350th Ave West is no worse than other comparable streets in Oliver. When Citizens on Patrol sets up their electronic speed advisory sign, they find less than 10% are exceeding the speed limit, which is typical.
The Cost Effective Proposal
Separate vehicles from non-motorized traffic by providing a pedestrian corridor (PEDCOR) on 352nd Ave. This entails converting 115th St/352nd Ave into a one way north and east bound, and providing 10 feet on the side of 115th St and the side of 352nd Ave for non-motorized traffic. The driving lane would be 15 feet wide, generally. In addition the speed limit in this low traffic area would be reduced to 40 kph.Three traffic humps, which would not obstruct emergency vehicles, would be installed at strategic intervals (on the straight stretches) along 352nd Ave. The PEDCOR would provide direct and safe access to the High School at 107st where there is an existing crosswalk Appropriate signage includes one way status, PEDCOR notices, speed limits and speed hump warnings.
The cost of the Cost Effective Proposal is as follows is $3000 for pavement marking to delineate the PEDCOR, $2000 for three speed humps and $5000 to $10000 for signage. At the outside the total cost is under $20,000.
Conclusion
The Town’s proposes to spend $600,000 on a sidewalk for which there is little demand and which will not solve the perceived problem of speeding vehicles. There is no evidence that building a sidewalk will slow drivers down or make pedestrians safer. The Cost Effective Proposal costs about 3% of the sidewalk and provides a real solution to vehicle/pedestrian conflict; separate them. Total cost savings; about $580,000.
Article submitted by Don Rudzcki