Efforts are being considered to fix a Burnaby intersection after “concerns” were raised by local RCMP and local resident Jacqueline Chan.
Based on a recent City of Burnaby staff review, changes have been identified for the intersection of Royal Oak Avenue and Laurel Street.
A review of data from ICBC showed that the number of crashes at the intersection has increased over the years, averaging about eight crashes per year between 2015 and 2019, with 10 crashes in 2019, said a city report due to be reviewed by council at its next meeting on Monday.
In the previous 5 years (2010-2014), there were on average 5 crashes per year. Two-way traffic volumes along Laurel Street are higher than Royal Oak Avenue with approximately 160 vehicles in the peak hour.
“These volumes are within a normal range expected for a local street,” said the report. “The increasing number of crashes over the years may be attributable to some increases in traffic volumes and population growth, but the unusual geometry of this intersection has been identified as the key factor. The intersection’s geometry is unusual because of its very close proximity to the intersection of Canada Way and Laurel Street immediately to the west. This proximity may cause confusion for drivers.”
At the intersection of Royal Oak and Laurel, presently there are only stop signs on the north leg and on the east leg. There are no stop controls on the west or south legs and, as a result, the right-of-way for vehicles is unclear. Another problem is that westbound vehicles along Laurel Street do not have a stop sign just prior to entering Canada Way.
The report said an “obvious solution to the problem” is adding some stop signs, but adds that those might just create more traffic issues.
Instead, the report says, “it is recommended that north-south traffic flow on Royal Oak be restricted with a concrete barrier … plus the removal of the first westbound stop sign on Laurel for vehicles approaching Royal Oak. This would eliminate all conflicting movements and avoid two stop signs in a row for westbound vehicles.”
The recommended changes will have a relatively modest impact on traffic patterns in the area, said the report.
