Traffic study planned for southwest Brandon

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This article was published 28/04/2022 (1408 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Following concerns raised by residents in southwest Brandon in 2021 and earlier this year, the city is looking for a firm to complete a traffic impact study for the area.

At a Linden Lanes ward meeting last year, residents told Coun. Shawn Berry they were worried the speed and amount of traffic could lead to someone getting hurt or killed in the neighbourhood, especially along Durum Drive.

Previous traffic studies initiated by the city found the traffic along the street was not above average, but Berry convinced his council colleagues to implement a one-year pilot project to lower the speed limit on Durum Drive by 10 kilometres an hour starting at the beginning of this year.

A subsequent proposal by Berry to make Aberdeen Avenue a one-way street so that traffic could leave but not enter the neighbourhood went to a public hearing, but was ultimately defeated by council after residents expressed worry over the knock-on impact of diverting traffic and lengthier commutes for those living closest to where the street’s direction would be changed.

On Tuesday, the city posted a request for proposals to look for companies interested in providing consulting services for a new traffic impact study for the southwest.

Streets in the southwest being examined as part of the study are Richmond Avenue, 34th Street, Aberdeen Avenue, Durum Drive, 26th Street, Patricia Avenue and 18th Street.

According to a document attached to the request for proposals, the area being studied “has seen the highest concentration of land-use, development and building permit applications” over the past 10 years.

With that growth expected to continue, the goal of the study is to develop road improvements to guide the development of existing and planned arterial traffic networks.

The winning bidder will be expected to take into account intersection and road segment classifications, a timeline for implementing improvements, safety, transit, emergency services, rights-of-way, a geometric analysis of intersections needing improvement and the serviceability for various land uses in the affected area.

They’ll also need to study possible traffic-calming measures and incorporate already-identified capital road improvements like upgraded intersections, new street construction and an expansion of trail systems.

An additional attached document, a traffic analysis of the intersection of Maryland Avenue and 26th Street prepared by WSP Canada, states the city and the developer of the Bellafield subdivision have made several attempts to acquire the land needed to build a roundabout there, but has been forced to determine another solution after not finding any success.

For the traffic-calming aspect, the city asks bidders to keep Vision Zero ideology in mind. Vision Zero is a traffic philosophy that looks at creating road systems that eliminate injuries and fatalities.

A contract is expected to be issued for the project by June 15 with the final report expected to be delivered on Sept. 15. Applications for the tender end on June 10 at 5 p.m.

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