While the traffic corridor from Powell River Recreation Complex can be congested in times of heavy traffic, the existing road appears to be the only avenue for the foreseeable future.
Speaking to City of Powell River’s committee of the whole meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2014, Tor Birtig, the city’s director of infrastructure, reported on potential road access expansion for the complex.
Birtig’s department was tasked to examine the feasibility and cost of a second route to and from the facility. The impetus for the study was a directive from committee of the whole at its September 18 meeting. Birtig stated that during large events at the recreation complex, such as Powell River Kings’ hockey games and the bi-annual International Choral Kathaumixw festivities, vehicle traffic can be significantly delayed when trying to exit the facility’s parking lot.
Birtig said city staff had examined vehicle access to and from the recreation complex, with a real look at the area where the trees were felled for the anticipated construction of the athletic track that was eventually located at the Timberlane site. Two other options were also examined.
The first option would direct traffic from the upper parking lot through the logged area of the complex property and connect with the existing Complex Way. Birtig said this approach would help clear the upper parking lot of vehicles but it would create another point of congestion at the intersection of the complex road. In other words, it simply relocates the area of concern, he said.
“We felt the congestion is still going to happen,” he said. “It doesn’t exit people any quicker from the complex and does not assist us too much getting the traffic out in an expeditious fashion.
The second option would direct traffic to Highway 101 and would be particularly valuable for traffic heading north. The road would follow the route of the existing sanitary main. Birtig said reconfiguration of the lower parking lot would be required, as well as a second exit point for the upper complex parking lot. Construction of the road would likely impact the trail systems and watercourses west of the complex. Due to the negative impact of building a road in an environmentally sensitive area, this option was not investigated further.
A third option would be to build a road bridge across McGuffie Creek and link the upper parking lot directly to Joyce Avenue. This would provide a true second entrance and exit for the upper parking lot. Birtig said traffic could be designated “right turn only” onto Joyce Avenue, thus reducing congestion. The bridge structure would require a 10-metre deck width to accommodate two-way vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Birtig said the current road configuration allows emergency vehicles to enter and exit the complex area safely. The options presented have not been reviewed by emergency services.
“As there appears to be only one option that would truly alleviate traffic congestion at the upper parking, and the considerable costs of pursuing that option, staff does not recommend proceeding with any traffic modifications at this time,” Birtig said.
The matter has been referred to council for further consideration.
