(Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

Sharing Ideas

City planning committee weighs in on downtown curb extensions

Jan 19, 2021 | 3:20 PM

It was a vigorous discussion at the City of North Battleford’s planning committee meeting Monday as members discussed the pros and cons of the curb extensions or bulb-out street design downtown.

Members were primarily looking at the issue as the city plans to begin underground pipe and asphalt replacement (UPAR) work on 102 St. this year, which will include revitalizing the streetscape.

City planner Ryan Mackrell presented the North Battleford Downtown Revitalization and Action Plan council approved in 2017, indicating the aim of the bulb out feature was to calm traffic, make it safer for pedestrians crossing the road, and also to encourage more foot traffic so people can access businesses.

“The curb extensions have been a point of controversy, especially for vehicles downtown. We’ve seen there are reasons why they do exist though,” he said. “There is a push-pull relationship between vehicle traffic and pedestrian traffic. You have to try to find a balance and design to accommodate both vehicles and pedestrians… Curb extensions are the safest and best design for our downtown.”

Coun. Bill Ironstand was concerned about a number of issues, especially the difficulty for larger vehicles making turns around bulb outs.

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“I’m not in favour of the bulb outs and never will be,” he said.

Ironstand mentioned the corner at 101 St. and 13 Ave. near city hall as particularly problematic.

Coun. Len Taylor also said this intersection was the biggest concern people raised to him.

Taylor said he would not want to see the same issue when work is done on 102 St. at 13 Ave., since it is an access point to the downtown.

Mayor David Gillan said he is in favour of the curb extensions overall, because he sees the goal, as long as administration keeps in mind the turning radius for vehicles.

Director of Corporate Services Jennifer Niesink said the Giant Tiger and the Capital Annex Theatre decided to develop downtown only because council adopted the city’s downtown revitalization plan, which includes the bulb outs.

She said the bulb outs completed recently on 100 St. have a softer, more rounded design, compared to 101 St., to make turning a little easier. The city plans to make the 102 St. bulb outs similar to 100 St.

For the 102 St. work, Niesink said if the bulb outs were not included in the design that would be a major change to the plan and would prevent the work from being done this year.

Niesink mentioned if council wishes it can always include funding in next year’s budget, to soften the grade of the bulb out created on 101 St. at 13 Ave., near City Hall, to make it easier to turn there.

Coun. Ironstand noted the solar powered bollard lights were also a concern as he said many vehicles have been hitting them turning at 101 St.

City Manager Randy Patrick said if a member of council wants to make a request or proposal, related to bulb outs or another issue for example, they would need to introduce a motion for consideration at a regular council meeting.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW