Staff Report: Helmcken Road at Watkiss Way Intersection Protection Measures

HELMCKEN ROAD AT WATKISS WAY INTERSECTION PROTECTION MEASURES

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the Committee recommend that Council approve a “quick build traffic calming curb” to protect northbound cyclists from intersection traffic within the Helmcken Road at Watkiss Way intersection.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

Option #2: THAT the Committee recommend to Council to not install a ‘quick build traffic calming curb’.

PURPOSE:

This staff report was presented at the February 18, 2025 Regular Council meeting.

The purpose of this report is to seek approval from Council on proposed cycling infrastructure improvement designs that go beyond a simple bike lane, as requested by Council in the Town’s Active Transportation Network Plan;

BACKGROUND:

The Committee will recall that Council approved the intersection concept design in their May 21, 2024 regular Council meeting:

THAT staff proceed to the detail design for a “Modified Option C02” concept that includes the removal of the southbound Helmcken Road pinch point, removal of the merge lane on the northbound leg of the intersection, and the installation of buffered bike lanes on both sides of Helmcken Road.1

1 Town of View Royal (2024). Minutes of Council Meeting Held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 (C-87-24). https://viewroyalbc.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/69003/?preview=72094

The May 14, 2024 Committee of the Whole staff report used to inform on Council’s approval identified the following intersection improvements2:

• Preserved left turn lane: Helmcken Rd turning left onto Chancellor Ave;
• Preserved left turn lane: Chancellor Ave turning left towards Highway 1;
• Removed curb bulge: southbound Helmcken Rd to improve traffic flow;
• Removed merge lane on the northbound leg of the intersection;
• Buffered bike lanes along Helmcken Rd (both sides);
• Improved pavement markings to delineate cyclist travel through the intersection.

DISCUSSION:

Staff are recommending the installation of a “Quick Build Traffic Calming Curb”, to be located only at the northeast corner of the intersection. This curb is recommended by the design engineer to improve the safety and comfort of active travellers on a roadway that is considered an ICBC hotspot for incidents3. The benefits are as follows:

• The curb is designed to guide vehicular traffic and cyclists through the intersection into their respective lanes. The curb provides a visual barrier that mitigates vehicle turn overtracking while also traffic calming the road;
• The curb is a ‘quick build’ solution: robust enough to serve its purpose and yet flexible enough to be easily removable or relocated. This is a solution that can be implemented in other areas of View Royal as a traffic calming measure. These curbs are colloquially known as a ‘Calgary Curb’ and are being implemented within the Township of Esquimalt;
• The curb will not impact road maintenance or emergency services as the curb request is only for one curb and not a linear continuation of curbs. The curb is only to be installed to improve safety in an area of the intersection that is exposed to the most conflicts.

Knock down bollards or bike lane barrier curbs seen throughout other parts of Greater Victoria will not be installed along the buffered bike lane. The design can accommodate these safety measures in the future but at this time will be omitted per Council’s previous directions.

Should Council decide not to have the quick build traffic calming curb installed at the northeast corner of the intersection, impacts can include higher vehicle speeds, and an increased conflict zone for pedestrians and cyclists. This alternative is not recommended by staff as it would not improve road user safety in an area already considered an ICBC hotspot.

2 Leung, I (2024). Helmcken Road / Watkiss Way Intersection Improvement Options. Town of View Royal. https://viewroyalbc.civicweb.net/document/71565/Helmcken%20Road-Watkiss%20Way%20Intersection%20Options.pdf?handle=7BE1AABA4DBF4FA88870192F03E457F0

3 Town of View Royal (2022). ATNP Baseline Conditions Report (Map 15). https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Projects/Active~Transportation/Town%20of%20View%20Royal%20ATNP_Baseline%20Condition%20Report.pdf

FIGURE 1: Example ‘Calgary Curb’
City of Calgary (2025). Temporary Traffic Control Curbs. https://www.calgary.ca/roads/safety/traffic-calming-curbs.html

FIGURE 2: Location of Calgary Curb and Widened Bike Lane Buffer

NEXT STEPS:

Following a future Council resolution, staff would proceed as follows:

1. Provide updates to Island Health, Eagle Creek Village, nearby property owners and BC Transit of the updated design;
2. Obtain approval from the Ministry of Transportation and Transit regarding signalization and works in and around their jurisdiction;
3. Upon Ministry approval, finalize design for Tender and Construction.

ANALYSIS:

Impacts and implications can be summarized as follows:

ALIGNMENT:

The recommended option aligns with the Town’s following core guiding documents as follows:

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GOAL:

The desired level of public participation for the recommended option is:

[x] Inform [x] Consult [ ] Involve [ ] Collaborate [ ] Empower
[ ] N/A

TIME CRITICAL:

Council resolution on this design is the final stage before staff can proceed to final design, Tender and future Construction.

CONCURRENCE:

REVIEWED BY:

ATTACHMENTS:

1. Intersection Design
2. May 14, 2024 Committee of the Whole Report (Council approved the Modified Option #2 per staff recommendation at the May 21, 2025 regular Council meeting)