Letter: Build in haste, repent at leisure

The most particular concern with respect to the city plan for reconstruction of a section of Second Avenue is the lack of public consultation.

There was an information session held last week, but it was basically only to inform those attending what the project would involve.

According to staff present, few changes could be made and tenders were to go out shortly with work to begin as early as May.

While most citizens agreed to the redesign of the Scarlet Street and cemetery entrance intersection, the need for five traffic lanes was questioned, and in particular the absence of any dedicated bike lanes, especially as the area is heavily residential.

The cost of the project has been estimated at $5 million. Most felt that the money for the five lanes could be better spent on two traffic lanes, one in each direction with a centre turning lane and bike lanes extending further down Second Avenue.

Responding to these concerns as chair of the Minnow Lake Community Action Network (CAN), I have asked our area councillor, Terry Kett, who is also chair of the city finance committee, to have city council send the traffic department back to the drawing board with this suggestion and to conduct proper public consultation on this important development.

Will it be too late to start construction this year? Perhaps. But better to get it right and it be what the pubic wants than to proceed and regret it later.

John Lindsay
chair, Minnow Lake Community Action Network