Traffic Circles at Garden Drive and 10th and 11th

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: September 12, 2001
Author/Local: W. Pledger/604-873-7346

RTS No. 2308

CC File No. 5757

T&T: October 30, 2001

TO:

Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic

FROM:

General Manager of Engineering Services

SUBJECT:

Traffic Circles at Garden Drive and 10^th and 11^th Avenues

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council approve the construction of traffic circles at Garden Drive and 10^th and 11^th Avenues with funds of $30 000 available in Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Order Group SCA5A - UNAP.

COUNCIL POLICY

The Transportation Plan provides that the traffic calming program should give priority to streets and neighbourhoods where the traffic impacts are most serious.

PURPOSE

The Purpose of this report is to recommend approval of traffic circles on Garden Drive at 10^th and 11^th Avenues.

DISCUSSION

The City has been actively involved in the public and design process around the development of the Central Valley Greenway/bikeway undertaken by the Rapid Transit Project Office. One particular element of this design includes the construction of a portion of presently unopened Garden Drive between 12^th Avenue and Grandview Highway North.

During our discussions around this particular portion of the greenway design, the neighbours raised their concern about an existing shortcutting problem on Garden Drive (one block west of Nanaimo Street) created by delays and congestion around the Broadway and Nanaimo intersection. The neighbourhood is concerned the opening of Garden Drive at Grandview Highway North would worsen this problem as Garden could become an attractive route to the Nanaimo Bridge.

The neighbours and City staff agreed the problem could best be controlled by the construction of traffic circles on Garden Drive at 10^th and 11^th Avenue (See Figure 1). Staff surveyed the residents in the immediate area of the circles, as required and 84% (26 of 31) supported the circles (see attached Appendix A: Proposed Traffic Circles - Survey Results).

Financial Implications

On the basis of the very positive public response, staff recommend the circles be installed. Further, because the circles would be installed largely to resolve an existing problem, staff recommend the circles be installed at City cost. The estimated $30 000 to construct the circles is available in Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Order Group SCA5A - UNAP.

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APPENDIX A

CITY OF VANCOUVER PROPOSED TRAFFIC CIRCLES

GARDEN DRIVE - E 10^TH & E 11^TH
JUNE 2001
SURVEY RESULT COMMENTS FROM RESIDENTS

I am concerned about 12^th Ave. Do Not extend Garden Drive to N Grandview Hwy. We are looking forward to the proposed landscaping.

As I live at 12^th and Nanaimo I have not had occasion to notice a difference in traffic pattern/usage at these two locations, other than local use - but if close residents have noticed a big influx of traffic - then I support doing this at this time. Thanks for chance to give input! Question: Will there be further meeting, re: cutting garden drive thru to N Grandview Hwy? Has this issue been finalized?

ASAP. Thank you.

Taxes are high enough - The solution to problem....is put in stop signs at 10^th and 11^th.

As long as there are no hidden costs to residents.

An excellent proposal!

Would you please fix the sidewalk in the same time of Garden Drive (both sides). Thanks.

Lets slow these cars down.

I think a circle is essential - accidents continue to occur at that corner and now that Nanaimo has reopened traffic is increasing as motorists try to avoid the lights at Broadway and Nanaimo.

It's about time!

Speed bump the lanes between Garden and Nanaimo. A good amount of traffic already cuts through at a high rate of speed.

Keep up the good work! Hope to see you June 27^th @ Open House. All the best.

We feel that in the event only one circle could be installed, that it is critical at 10^th & Garden, and that the one outside our residence (11^th) may non-critical.

It would be nice to see no thru road signs as well at the intersections of 10^th and 11^th Ave at Nanaimo St.

4-way stop signs would be better. As both driver and pedestrian, I have not observed traffic circles increasing safety, since no one seems to know or observe "rules of the road" where the circles are concerned.

I wholly support traffic circles. Anything to make drivers slow down! Thank you.

As long as the Nanaimo Bridge is open, I don't think this is necessary to have traffic circle. I do support a circle set-up at Lakewood and E 10^th for school traffic.

NOTE FROM CLERK - Figure 1 is not available in electronic form - on file in the Office of the City Clerk.

Comments or questions? You can send us email.


TO:	Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic
FROM:	General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT:	Traffic Circles at Garden Drive and 10^th and 11^th Avenues