A motion emanating from the Board of Police Commissioners could dramatically change the traffic flow at one of the city's busiest intersections.
At the boards Jan. 19 meeting, a bylaw amendment motion was passed that would see the Souris Avenue and King Street Intersection be designated right turn only for northbound traffic on Souris Avenue. As it stands now, drivers have the ability to make a left turn onto King Street or can go straight on Souris Avenue, both of which will no longer be allowed if the motion passes.
City manager Jim Puffalt said the reason behind the motion was protecting the safety of motorists.
"That intersection, with the amount of traffic happening now, it is just about impossible to make a left hand turn there at some points of the day," said Puffalt. "They believe that it is safer and would create better traffic flow there to have people use Eighth Street to access back to 13th Avenue rather than trying to make a left hand turn at that intersection.
Puffalt said there wasn't one particular incident that prompted the board's motion. He noted the City plans to repave Souris Avenue this year and when talks were held about that project, they began discussing the traffic flow in the area and felt that pushing drivers towards Eighth Street made more sense.
"That street is on our first priority for snow removal and it has traffic lights there," he said. "If you are going to make a left hand turn, its probably the safest spot on 13th Avenue to go."
Puffalt said the motion has gone out to the City's various business divisions and will eventually make its way to city council for a vote. No timetable on when a vote might take place was given.
