Update (Jan. 29, 2021)

February 20, 2021

  • Updates from our CoV Engineering liaison person on Prior Street work progress:
  • BC Hydro 
    • BC Hydro requested an extension to complete their duct repair work. Now scheduled to finish civil construction on February 3.
    • Their cable contractor will be on site the week of February. Expect the cabling pull work to be completed within the week, assuming the civil duct repair was successful.
  • Street restoration
    • Engineering preparing to start restoration end February / early March.
    • As previously discussed, restoration will include repairing the trench area and restoring any paintwork impacted.
    • There’s approval to remove south-lane parking in Prior between Gore and Malkin and to paint this right-turn lane for trucks turning onto Malkin. These adjustments will be completed with the rest of the street restoration work.
    • The traffic bulges on Dunlevy and Heatley will be installed as part of the street restoration.
    • We are working to procure the turquoise paint for the crosswalk. To be installed by an external contractor, not a city crew.
    • Art trailers will be relocated back on Prior once this work is complete.
  • Bus shelters
    • There are now a couple of shelters available to install on Prior — relocated from other locations as shelter supply is still limited.
    • Locations identified: EB Prior St at Hawks Ave and WB Prior St at Hawks. Also trying to replace a shelter at Raymur and Prior.
    • The contractor has requested a construction window starting Feb 8 to install the foundations for these new shelters.
  • Hawks Ave / National Ave and Station St intersection changes
    • Are completing an analysis of options for Hawks and how best to accommodate truck access in the area, recognizing that St. Paul’s will be starting work this year. Construction may affect the National/Station intersection during some phases.
    • Will report back when this analysis is complete.
  • Traffic calming in Strathcona
    • Traffic calming study will be starting in the next few months. Which team is best to lead this effort to be confirmed.
  • Collision at Prior and Gore
    • Working with CoV traffic and pedestrian safety group to review the incident at Prior and Gore.
    • VPD has provided a report to the City. A north crossing pedestrian was struck by a left turning (to go east) vehicle, fortunately at a low speed.  Incident seemed neither speed nor signage related.
    • Regardless, important to fix the signage issue – this has been completed. Engineering is working to recalibrate the speed reader board by the Park to 30km/h. For this location staff are looking at the collision details to see if any changes in signal timing are feasible to help prevent any future pedestrian incidents (e.g. more time for pedestrians to cross).
    • Followed up on the request to have the viaduct off-ramp reduced to one lane. This was looked at previously; Transportation does not support reducing the off-ramp lanes. The mandatory right lane at Malkin will further assist in traffic calming this stretch of Prior Street. 
  • Speed readers
    • Unable to progress on reinstalling the speed reader board by the fire hall — contractor reluctant for fear of vandalism. Can revisit once the Park encampment is relocated.
  • Barriers between Raymur and Campbell – south side of road
    • Will not be installing barriers on the south side of the road as Produce Row companies wish to park here — with the other changes to parking regulations in the area. Once the tent city has been relocated and restoration is complete, parking uptake is expected.