from: Kim the Traffic Reporter
Hi Marty,
Over the last two days of watching three rush hours, I've seen traffic back up in ways this City is certainly not used to seeing outside of special events such as Canada Day. I have seen frustration, irritation and anger not only from the residents but also from the motorists and -- believe it or not -- heads shaking from the cyclists.
I have also seen quite a few near collisions because people are becoming frustrated with the wait which is sending the more impatient people heading the wrong way up one ways or backing up to get to a back alley.
On Monday morning I noted many surprised and very upset faces as people were on their morning commute. Residents in the area did say they get quite a bit of traffic down Edmonton, however, they weren't expecting the traffic they had coming up the street, which was nothing compared to what came at them Monday afternoon.
The Monday afternoon rush hour I'm still not sure what word would most effectively describe what happened. Nightmare is too mild a word to use, cluster you- know-what doesn't even give full credit to what was seen on Assiniboine and Edmonton.
Traffic was backed up along Kennedy and at times was backed up for those coming off the Osborne bridge. What is worse there was an event taking place at the Legislature which meant lots of extra vehicles had no option but to come down Kennedy and back up Edmonton to Broadway.
On Tuesday afternoon, one person on Assiniboine between Carlton and Edmonton backed his car up so he could turn into the back lane. I also noted people head the wrong way along the travel lane between Kennedy/Edmonton, then head the wrong way up a one way back lane. Another lady attempted the same thing, on-coming traffic prevented her from doing so. One person even drove up behind the Legislature towards Osborne the wrong way.
As I was handing out flyers to the motorists, I informed one lady that this was a permanent fixture for this area, even in the winter when most cyclists put their bikes away until the spring. Her jow dropped. She asked me if this was for real, sadly I had to say that it was.
At Edmonton vehicles MUST turn which means traffic from Kennedy and Carlton are fighting to make that turn. I've seen many vehicles almost run into each other making those turns as it would seem nobody understands who gets to go first, frustration is not making the situation any better.
I watched one bike rider a little ways up Edmonton come down off the curb right in front of a car that had just turned onto Edmonton, expecting the car would stop for him. This man who was riding the bike didn't even bother to get out of the way of the vehicle, it was his right to put his bike in front of that car without caring what happened. If the vehicle had hit the cyclist, who would have been the one to pay the price? The cyclist? Not likely.
Because of traffic issues, cyclists have no choice but to use the sidewalks on Assiniboine, many of the cyclists are courteous with the pedestrians, however, there are some who think that the sidewalk is a speed zone. Some are travelling far to fast for the congestion in the area, someone is going to get hurt. I would like to hand out kudos to several cyclists who either called out or rang a bell to let pedestrians know there was a bike coming their way. Thank you to those that did, it was greatly appreciated.
Having said that, I noted two cyclists come down Assiniboine towards Edmonton from Kennedy area, these two were riding side by side chatting, they turned onto Edmonton, took over an entire lane of traffic while they chatted beside each other. Guess rules didn't apply to them.
There are many issues with the change that has happened. The temporary no stopping zones are going to HAVE to be enforced, if they are not accidents will happen as people plow into the back end of parked cars. However, the Parking Authority has not yet issued any specific directive regarding these issues and many of the enforcement staff will not enforce at these areas because they have been chastised in the past for doing so.
I am expecting an accident at Edmonton simply because two vehicles turning onto the street off Assiniboine at the same time is recipe for disaster, I've already watched numerous close calls. For now it might not be such a bad idea to get someone out directing traffic so as to ensure an accident doesn't happen.
On Sept. 11 and 12 there are events happening on Broadway, a big dance and a light show, (and of course Ciclovia, the "celebration" of cyclists) what is going to happen when people want to leave the area when it closes at 11pm? Many many people will park in the area, many will park at the Leg, the only option they will have is to come onto Assiniboine and right up Edmonton. It's going to get ugly. What's going to happen when other events are taking place? I shudder to think about the congestion and traffic jams.
I suppose we shall see what happens on Wednesday. I wonder if Kevin Nixon will ever show up to personally view his handiwork, you'd think he'd want to see this mess. But then again, maybe not. How about Bill Woroby? How about the Councillors who are directly responsible, not only Gerbasi, but the others who didn't step forward to stop it, but then again right now in this area, it might not be a wise idea to admit who they are, a lynch mob might form that is how angry the residents are at the moment. Maybe it is a better idea to stay away for a while.
I have to wonder if the Lt. Governor will get stuck in traffic as well after all his house is located on Kennedy or will he get preferential treatment?
Here's to another day of watching near misses and collisions brought to you by the bike lobby, hope they are proud of themselves.
PS: On Tuesday Aug. 31/10 at 12:46p.m. on the City website a media release was issued telling people about the changes on Assiniboine. That would be the changes which began on Aug. 29th - it took 48 hours!
Included in this release was a link to another part of the City website, the Active Transportation site. The problem being, the maps presented on the AT site are all wrong. This map shows people being able to turn both east and west off Carlton which as we all know were the plans as of January or February. So even their media releases are inaccurate.
Should anyone wish to contact their Councillors for St. Vital, St. Boniface, Assiniboine and of course the man who helped approve this project Justin Swandel, their phone numbers are as follows:
Gord Steeves - St. Vital - 986-5088
Dan Vandal - St. Boniface - 986-5206
Jenny Gerbasi - 986-5878
Justin Swandel - St. Norbert - 986-6824
Mayor Sam Katz - 986-5665
