A suite of new traffic safety devices are set to hit the road in Bradford — especially on Veterans Street.
Based on a recommendation from the community and traffic safety advisory committee, council approved relocating the speed warning camera from Langford Boulevard to Veterans Street, plus a new crosswalk on the street and two “no left turn” signs for traffic exiting the parking lot of Holy Trinity Catholic High School, during the regular council meeting Feb. 6.
According to a report from Paul Dubniak, transportation technologist for the town, staff have been receiving complaints about Veterans Street since the 470-metre road opened in 2019, connecting Melbourne Drive to West Park Avenue.
The report shows average daily traffic counts steadily increased to 1,277 in one section in 2023, compared to just 633 in another section in 2021, and the committee has discussed the street three times in 2023 alone — in March, October and November.
While an all-way stop was initially requested at the west intersection with Blackwell Crescent, staff determined it was not warranted and instead recommended a Level 2 Type D crosswalk on the east side of that intersection featuring curb depressions, signage and ladder markings on street, similar to what was approved for West Park Avenue and Huron Lane in early December.
To improve visibility for both pedestrians and drivers, parking is planned to be restricted on the south side of Veterans from the driveway into Holy Trinity to about 30 metres west of Blackwell.
Council also approved a flashing light for the stop sign at Line 9 and Sideroad 5, potential lane narrowing along Langford, West Park, Melbourne, Professor Day Drive, Barrie Street and Simcoe Road as well as requested staff provide the committee with updated traffic counts for Northgate Drive.
Mayor James Leduc praised the efforts of the committee, especially the potential lane narrowing, but otherwise the recommendations were approved without discussion.
The lane narrowing is expected to be considered in conjunction with the town’s traffic mitigation study, which is intended to create two separate guides, a design guide to ensure all new roads include traffic calming from the outset, and a traffic calming guide to ensure traffic-calming measures are added to existing streets using a consistent process, based on measurable data.
Consultation on the strategy is currently underway including two public information centres so far, and a third planned for March 6 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the BWG Leisure Centre (471 West Park Ave.), after which a finalized version of the strategy is expected to be presented to council for approval in May or June.
The measures approved Tuesday come less than one week after the unveiling of speed camera warning signs in town.
