Presentation: Helmcken Rd at Watkiss Way Intersection Improvements
Technical presentation comparing traffic signal options and detailing the recommended 'Revised Split Phase' design to improve pedestrian safety and traffic flow.
Request for Decision: Helmcken Rd at Watkiss Way Intersection
Premise:
- Protect Pedestrians crossing Helmcken Rd
- Dedicated Left Turn from Chancellor Ave
- Limited/no changes to lane configurations
- 2 Signalization Options
Issues:
Split Phase: 2X Delay
Lagging LTL: 1.9X Delay
Impacts:
Current Conditions (4:30 PM midweek) Courtesy: Google Maps
Opportunities:
Primary Design Adjustment:
- Additional southbound lane on Helmcken Road
- Shift left turn lane
Opportunities:
Revised Option 1: Split Phase
| Location | Performance |
|---|---|
| Helmcken (Northbound) | 🙂 |
| Helmcken (Southbound) | 🟢 |
| Watkiss | 🙂 |
| Chancellor | 🙂 |
Overall Performance: +/-8% (Indicated on an Improvement/Delay meter)
Opportunities:
Revised Option 2: Lagging LTL
| Location | Performance |
|---|---|
| Helmcken (Northbound) | 🙂 |
| Helmcken (Southbound) | 🟢 |
| Watkiss | 🙂 |
| Chancellor | 🙂 |
Overall Performance: -18 to -25% (Indicated on an Improvement/Delay meter toward the "Delay" side)
Recommendation: “Revised Split Phase”
Benefits:
- Significant southbound movement improvements = reduced congestion at Burnside / Helmcken intersection
- Maximizes pedestrian protection
- Full, protected left turn movement from Chancellor Avenue
- Some improvements to intersection level of service even with additional delays caused by split phasing
Recommendation:
THAT for the purposes of 2026 budget deliberations, Council direct staff to proceed with the design of the Helmcken Rd / Watkiss Way intersection that includes:
a) A “split phased” signalization design (Option 1 of the report titled “Request for Decision: Helmcken Rd / Watkiss Way Intersection”) that incorporates protected left turning movements from Chancellor Ave b) The addition of a southbound lane on Helmcken Road.
AND THAT Council direct staff to seek and apply for grant funding opportunities for this project, including future BC Active Transportation Grant Fund opportunities.
Ivan Leung, P.Eng Director of Engineering engineering@viewroyal.ca
Council – December 2, 2025