Proposed Changes Applauded- or Wrong Way to Go ?

Nothing will spark debate like a plan to alter the use or function a road in the City of Vernon. It seems we that have a real sense of ownership of the road particularly the road that goes by our home or business. As odd as it sounds we resent the free use of it and access to it by just anyone. The resentment turns to real concern if we perceive the use of our street by non-neighbourhood residents disturbs our peace and creates increased risk for those we love. Vernon is reaping problems from the serendipitous manner the city grew in the late 50’s and early 60’s. So when we moved to East Hill soon after locating to Vernon I experienced some driving frustration in trying to get from A to B for which there seemed to be very few direct routes. Fortunately those had lived here for years began to share their secret routes with this new comer. Their instructions invariably included an inquiry as to whether I knew how to get to Butcher Boys. The long-time residents were just checking my understanding of the labyrinth that is the East Hill. One of the secrets was 25^th st.  which soon became my go to street to get the mall particularly when the old 27^th was backed up during the summer. For a residential street it is unusually wide which continues to make this alternate route appealing. Times have changed and so has 27th. 

The existing road diet on 27^th (43ave to 48ave) has for years allowed for more efficient flow of traffic particularly from North to South (the right hand turn onto 48^th ave. headed east to Silver Star still needs some work). So in spite of the improvements to 27^th apparently the use of 25^th as a short cut persists.Old habits die hard .The residents have complained and the City has listened. The proposed plan will removes the north south option by forced left hand turns at selected intersections. I believe that this really heavy handed and that when implemented the change in traffic pattern will lead to frustration both to residents of and visitors to the effected neighborhoods. I am not a traffic engineer but surely there other viable alternatives for traffic calming for this street and affected neighborhoods that would not entirely eliminate this North South route. I am trying to imagine the complexity of the instructions visitors to this neighborhood will need to receive from friends and family. The future will tell the tale. Will they still have to know how to get to Butcher Boys?

We have since moved from the East Hill and now my go to route in that part of town is Pleasant Valley Road (Skiing at Silver Star) which is currently undergoing some long awaited improvements at the posting of this blog. What we all hope for when it comes to traffic management in the City is efficiency and safety. For the most part road safety lies with us who are behind the wheel.

Cheers Shawn Lee a Vernon Taxpayer