Based on resident complaints about unnecessarily long delays entering the Armdale Rotary and issues with backups into the Herring Cove Road merge area I obtained Council approval for a staff report to address safety measures for pedestrian, cyclist and vehicular traffic on the Herring Cove Road and the Purcell’s Cove Road/Herring Cove Road merge lane. Previously I also requested a report on ensuring pedestrian, cyclist and vehicular safety within the circle.
As a result of the motions, two separate consultant studies were undertaken. One involved a functional review of the Herring Cove Road approach to the circle. The other assessed the Herring Cove Road/Purcell’s Cove Road merge. Data on the circle functionality is also being assessed. I hosted a meeting at the Captain William Spry Centre to unveil and present the consultant recommendations to the public. Our Manager of Transportation Planning and other key traffic and transit staff were on hand to engage with the public and receive feedback.
At the meeting four traffic control options were proposed for the Purcell’s Cove Road/Herring Cove Road intersection. Currently there are larger volumes on Herring Cove Road, and it makes it difficult for residents from Purcell’s Cove Road to enter the merge area. This also impacts safety and traffic is queued back up into neighbourhoods. There was one option presented which would improve the functional design of the Herring Cove Road entry into the roundabout. Currently three to four vehicles queued waiting to get into the middle lane of the Armdale Rotary significantly impacts all the vehicles from the Purcell’s Cove/Herring Cove Road merge as it blocks any vehicles that could enter the right lane and bypass the circle to Quinpool Road. By widening the entry it would significantly lengthen queues and enhance safety.
Based on the valuable resident feedback we received, HRM is having the drawings tweaked and will be considering other improvements before final recommendations are being put forward. Should you wish to view the information presented at the meeting please visit www.lindamosher.ca under the news tab.
To ensure funding will be in place to fully implement the recommendations, I obtained unanimous Council approval for staff to consider including the costs of the recommended traffic solutions in the capital budget for 2017/2018 fiscal year.
Wishing everyone a wonderful start to summer and congratulations to all graduates! Stay tuned for the upcoming Mosher Report which will include information on our Annual Dingle Natal Day Party and Chocolate Lake Beach Party both being held in August. I look forward to seeing everyone at many of our community events being held throughout the district this summer.
A copy of staff’s information sheet can be found by clicking here.