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Safety concerns remain for Arbutus Greenway as City workshops final design

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Locals and City of Vancouver consultants have come up with design ideas for a final Arbutus Greenway this weekend, but months after a temporary path was completed, there are still safety concerns for cyclists and pedestrians.

At a design workshop this weekend, 100 locals discussed ideas for the long-term path, which connects False Creek with the Fraser River. The workshopped designs were then on display to the public.

Merrill Horton lives near the greenway and worries about safety around 33rd Avenue.

“We have watched people just fly through on their bikes and cars not seeing them. Someone’s going to get hurt there really really badly. So we’re worried about that.”

Brian Marshall lives near the greenway and would like to see improvements like more seating along the path. He’s also concerned about the safety of some cyclists.

“In order to avoid cyclists coming the other way they swoop over onto the pedestrian side, I can understand why. But sooner or later that could be a more serious problem because the more cyclists we attract going both ways. Ideally there should be a southbound track and a northbound track. But I don’t think we’ve got the space for that.”

The City’s director of Transportation, Lon La Claire, says traffic signals are being added at three intersections, including 12th Avenue.

“Right now you’re required to go over to the intersection and cross at the signal, a lot of people are making a very dangerous decision to cross the street there.”

“We have a new signal going in for Broadway and we also have a signal that we’re planning for Marine Drive. So those locations, even for the temporary path we feel it’s really worthwhile to put in the signal for the years that we have the temporary path.”

He says more traffic control may be developed through the design workshop ideas.

“At the local streets, yes there’s the opportunity through regular stop sign, or roundabout, other measures like that to slow the traffic before they cross the greenway.”

A preferred design will be shared with the public in the Spring.

 

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