Dangerous Pedestrian Crossing at Helmcken Road and Watkiss Way/Chancellor Avenue
An archived resident letter from 2019 raising safety concerns about the dangerous nature of the Helmcken and Watkiss intersection for pedestrians.
From: Judy Priest Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 11:29 AM To: Mayor And Council Email mayorandcouncil@viewroyal.ca Subject: Dangerous Pedestrian Crossing at Helmcken Road and Watkiss Way/Chancellor Avenue
Every week we hear reports of pedestrians in Greater Victoria being injured or killed while crossing the street. Today the Victoria News reports 5 deaths in the last 12 months. (https://www.vicnews.com/news/five-pedestrians-killed-across-greater-victoria-in-the-last-12-months) Often these collisions occur in marked crosswalks where pedestrians should be safe.
I understand that pedestrians must be vigilant, observant and careful while crossing streets. Drivers also must do their part by following the rules and being aware of pedestrians.
Planners must do their job. Jennifer Smith, Engineering Clerk at View Royal, assures me that professional traffic engineers made the plan for this intersection. And I am sure at the time that it was very good.
However, since then there have been two apartment buildings added to Eagle Creek Village. This has changed the dynamics of the intersection. Another apartment building is under construction, as well as a townhome complex at the far end of Camden Avenue. This will again increase traffic. Perhaps it is time to reassess this intersection.
There are two reasons:
The time allowed for Pedestrian Crossing is too short. Thirty seconds is not enough time to walk across two bike lanes, four vehicle lanes and a central boulevard. That time may work for a fit and healthy adult but is not reasonable for anyone with small children, pets, a mobility scooter or anyone who can just not walk fast for whatever reason.
The Left Turn Advanced Green Light for Vehicle Traffic coming from Watkiss Way is active for a very short time. It allows three vehicles to turn before the green arrow turns off. That is when the pedestrian crossing signal comes on. There are usually more than three vehicles waiting to turn left. The line up often continues all the way to the roundabout leading to the hospital and Eagle Creek Village. Consequently, the remaining drivers rush to try and make the turn before the red light. They are intent on avoiding oncoming traffic from Chancellor Avenue and getting through the intersection. Many drivers are oblivious to pedestrians using this crossing.
There are two possible solutions to this problem:
Adjust the times of both the pedestrian crossing light and the advanced green light from Watkiss Way.
Add a pedestrian activated marked crosswalk on Helmcken Road, mid-block, somewhere between this intersection and Burnside Road West. One was installed last year on Burnside Road West at High Street.
Your Engineering Clerk stated that no adjustments would be made until after the McKenzie interchange construction was completed. I realize that Helmcken Road is much busier due to the construction, but I do not understand how that affects the cross traffic from Watkiss Way and Chancellor Avenue.
I strongly urge the council to find a solution for this busy and dangerous intersection before it is the scene of a pedestrian casualty.
I would be happy to meet at the intersection, Helmcken Road and Watkiss Way/Chancellor Avenue, with any council member or engineering staff to discuss this problem
Sincerely Judy Priest