Traffic signal aims to cut Annacis Island ‘queue-jumpers’
Posted September 22, 2016 1:09 pm.
Last Updated February 17, 2017 3:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
DELTA (NEWS 1130) – The group assembled to find a way to stop traffic budgers from cutting through Annacis Island to avoid back-ups on the Alex Fraser Bridge has come back with an idea. The Ministry of Transportation will put in a new traffic signal.
Drivers sneaking through the industrial park on Annacis Island won’t be able to make a right on a red onto Cliveden Avenue from Highway 91 southbound any longer. The thinking is this will create an extra delay for drivers trying to get on to Annacis Island, making it no longer worth the trouble. The signal will be installed next month.
MLA for North Delta Scott Hamilton says they’ll be watching. “It will also, hopefully, from what I understand, include the use of a red light camera. So, if you make that right turn on the red, ‘Smile!’ You’re probably going to have your picture taken.”
Hamilton says they’ll see how traffic responds. “For the first little while, there’s going to be some growing pains as we go through the process. The timing of the light will be adjusted as need be and as traffic patterns are assessed. Hopefully at some point, we’re going to find the sweet spot.”
People working on Annacis Island had complained over hours-long back-ups trying to get to and from the area because of drivers using the industrial park to get around the line-up for the Alex Fraser. One woman we spoke to whose husband works on the island as well had to quit carpooling because it was taking up to two hours just to drive to the other side of the island to pick up her spouse.
The problem prompted the formation of a working group including politicians, police and business owners which has been brain storming on possible solutions. Other changes are also being considered to cut down on back-ups on the span, including a counterflow system.
