Heavy traffic means five lanes needed on stretch of Second Avenue: city staff

“This design would be … safer for pedestrians, as well,” CAN chair John Lindsay said in a release. “Eventually the whole length of Second Avenue could be built to this configuration, providing both for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists in this heavily residential area.”

About 100 people turned up to a recent public information session, and the issue was brought up several times, said Ward 11 Coun. Terry Kett, who represents the area.

“Why is there five lanes?” Kett asked city staff at Tuesday's city council meeting. “Everybody's asking that question.”

Roads director David Shelsted said the simple answer is traffic volume, which is already heavy in the area, and is expected to increase as many residential construction projects are planned in Minnow Lake.

“When staff is looking at the number of lanes required for a project, it's traffic counts that drives some of that decision making,” Shelsted said, adding there is enough traffic already to warrant five lanes.

“But we don't just look at today,” he said. “There's also some additional new subdivisions going in the Kenwood (Street) corridor.”

Traffic lights are also going in at the location, which will regulate traffic flow, but will cause lineups during red lights. Having the full five lanes will help ensure congestion clears quickly when the light changes, Shelsted said.

Work renovating Second Avenue, from Kenwood Street to Donna Drive, is scheduled to begin this year. Sidewalks are going in on both sides of the road, along with a centre turning lane, new curbs and gutters, street lights, watermains and storm sewers.

It's the biggest single road project planned for this construction season, and is on a similar scale as the reconstruction work at the corner of Lasalle Boulevard and Notre Dame Avenue in 2013. That project is largely finished, with some resurfacing and curb work still to be completed.