Summary of the Reports and Proposed Changes

Three major reports have been prepared in recent years relating to this intersection.

• Adept Transportation Solutions conducted an analysis (March 2004) on the proposed modifications and recommended that a neighbourhood traffic plan be established after further data collection.
• Nova Trans Engineering Inc prepared a traffic study (March 2005) based on the potential impact of the proposed Pacific Sport Institute on the Glendale lands.
• TransTech Data Services conducted a license plate survey and released a report in September 2005.

The reports are posted on this site for public reference but are summarized here for convenience.

• The intersection of Wilkinson/Interurban/Helmcken has reached “saturation” during peak hours. The biggest congestion occurs in the north-south-bound directions.
• Strawberry Vale is in a geographical bottleneck. Residents in the Western Communities who wish to travel to the peninsula or other points in Saanich (such as Broadmead) are funneled through this area. With continued growth expected in the Western Communities, traffic congestion along Helmcken and Wilkinson Roads is expected to increase.
• Saanich proposes to close the Hastings Street approach to the intersection so that the intersection becomes a traditional four-way intersection and operates more efficiently for through-traffic.
• Traffic will continue to be able to turn onto Hastings from the intersection, just not exit from Hastings.
• Additionally, they will install right-turn bays on both directions of Interurban as it enters the intersection.
• Studies confirm that there is a considerable amount of “external” or through-traffic in the Strawberry vale neighbourhood (i.e. as contained within Helmcken – Holland – Hastings – North – Interurban).
• Time travel analysis confirmed that it is faster for commuters from the Western Communities to travel through Strawberry Vale than to follow the main route of Helmcken/Wilkinson.
• Saanich projects that the closure of Hastings will “shift traffic from Hastings to adjacent residential roads increasing some residential street traffic loads many fold, especially during morning rush hour. As a result, North may have to be designated as a “Collector” street.
• Options may include traffic calming on North and/or road closures on Roy and/or Dunsterville.
• Install a traffic light at Santa Rosa and Wilkinson that may be timed or pedestrian-operated.
• Saanich optimistically projects that greater efficiency at the intersection will increase traffic flow through the intersection and eventually draw commuters away from the neighbourhood route. They refer to this in the reports as “latent demand”(i.e. people really do want to travel through the main intersection, they just don’t know it yet.)

We have a number of concerns about the proposed changes. Simply improving traffic flow through the intersection will not deter people from short-cutting (we define “short-cutting” as traffic that flows through the neighbourhood -- i.e. without a destination in the neighbourhood -- that uses non-Collector roads) through the neighbourhood.

Saanich acknowledges that the proposed changes will increase
external traffic on North and Santa Anita significantly.

Furthermore, it is not enough to improve traffic flow through the main intersection; routes through the neighbourhood need to be made less desirable for commuters who are using it as their preferred route.

Ensuring safe pedestrian access for children attending the three
schools in the neighbourhood is critical to us.

Saanich concludes that the planned improvements will create enough additional capacity to accommodate the additional traffic generated by the Pacific Sports Institute during peak hours. However, the intersection will soon again reach its capacity and face congestions once again. In the meantime, the impact to our neighbourhood will be dramatic and negative.

Strawberry Vale is a family-oriented neighbourhood with a distinct character. Let’s work together to keep this community strong and supportive for the children, teens, adults, parents, and seniors
who share this special place.

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Traffic Calming

In recognition of the growing problem of through traffic on residential streets, Saanich has developed a Traffic Calming Initiative, including a policy manual, which you can download here:
www.saanich.ca/resident/roads/trafficcalm.html

“Traffic calming is the combination of mainly physical measures that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behaviour and improve conditions for non-motorized street users… The purpose of traffic calming is to restore streets to their intended function.”

The manual outlines key principles that Saanich must follow when dealing with traffic calming, including these:

• Place the safety of residents over the convenience of vehicles
• Respect neighbourhood values
• Not transfer a traffic problem from one area to another
• Place the needs of local residents before mobility of vehicles

The manual also provides a description and cost estimate of the ten most common traffic-calming strategies. There is detailed information on the application process and criteria as well.

The manual defines local and collector roads and acknowledges that local roads should have the lowest levels of traffic as they also meet other needs. Hastings is currently designated as a Collector street. Saanich proposes to designate North, and probably Santa Anita, as Collector streets, thereby increasing the level of traffic through this neighbourhood considerably.

This group is opposed to designation of North and/or Santa Anita as Collector Streets and supports traffic calming initiatives on these and other local streets in this neighbourhood.

Join the forum discussion on traffic flow, calming and volume and put forth your concerns and suggestions!

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Safer School Travel

Safer City is a joint project of Saanich, ICBC and Saanich police aimed at improving road safety for all users. The issues and plans developed by local residents go on to inform the Engineering department in developing solutions.

Safer School Travel is a sub-component of this initiative that involves PACs in identifying issues, developing strategies and working with Engineering and the community to improve safety for children.

With three schools in the heart of Strawberry Vale, getting involved in this initiative is a great way to ensure that the safety of our children will be considered first and foremost in any proposed changes to traffic flow in this neighbourhood.

For more information, these links:
saanich.ca/resident/roads/safercity/schooltravel.html
saanich.ca/resident/roads/safercity/about.html

Are you willing to be a part of a Strawberry Vale Safer Schools project? Contact us and join the forum discussion on Safer Schools.

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