ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: November 26, 1997

Author/Local: Peter Docharty/6102

CC File No.: 5761

TO: Vancouver City Council

FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services

SUBJECT:Insurance Corporation of British Columbia -

Funding for Road Safety Improvements

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council accept a contribution of up to $107,000 from the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) Road Safety Improvement Program for various safety improvement projects.

COUNCIL POLICY

It has been Council's practice to accept contributions from ICBC to complete road initiatives.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to provide Council with information regarding a contribution from ICBC towards road safety improvements projects within the City.

BACKGROUND

Since 1994, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia has participated in joint reviews with City staff of traffic safety issues along several corridors in the City of Vancouver. As a result of these reviews, ICBC has contributed over $720,000 from its loss prevention program for safety improvements in the City, through a variety of projects. As this contribution is large in scope, specific approval is being sought.

DISCUSSION

During the first half of 1997 the City and ICBC reviewed several locations in the City where concern over traffic safety were raised. As a result of this study, ICBC has agreed to provide 100% of the funding, up to $107,000, as part of the ICBC Road Improvement Program, to the City for the implementation of the following improvements:

1.Cambie Street at 12th Avenue: Improve traffic signal visibility.

2.Cambie Street at 7th Avenue: Provide warning signs for cyclists.

3.Cambie Street at 29th Avenue: Improve traffic signal visibility.

4. Boundary Road at Hastings Street: Upgrade traffic signal.

5. Victoria Drive at: Install additional tertiary signal heads.

Kingsway, 1st Avenue,

41st Avenue and 49th Avenue

6. Various locations STOP sign infill program.

All of this work will be completed, as part of existing programs approved by Council, within the next six months.

The ICBC funding of these improvements to reduce traffic accidents and associated losses in the City of Vancouver is to our mutual benefit. ICBC already realizes a reduction in its claims payout, directly linked to improvements installed along the Clark/Knight Street corridor, while residents of Vancouver experience reduced exposure to damage, injury and inconvenience. It will also help reduce the number of Police and Fire calls to serious accidents.

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(c) 1997 City of Vancouver