Proposed changes to make the intersection of Ioco Road and Guildford Way safer for cyclists and pedestrians could improve safety for motorists as well.
The changes include removing the channelized right turn lanes, prohibiting rights turns on a red light and allowing left turns only during a dedicated signal.
They’re part of a $2-million project to extend the new dedicated bike lanes along Guildford in Coquitlam from the Port Moody border to Murray Street.
In a report, transportation engineer Nobinur Rahman said the intersection is already the second highest crash location in the city; between 2016 and 2022, it was the scene of 201 collisions, of which 81 resulted in injuries.
Rahman said an analysis of the crashes showed many of them — especially those involving pedestrians and cyclists — occurred when motorists were turning left on a general green light.
“This creates a scenario where drivers focus more on finding a gap in oncoming traffic and less on monitoring pedestrians or cyclists crossing the street,” Rahman said, adding the implementation of dedicated left turn lights will ensure vehicles are not crossing the paths of pedestrians or cyclists as well as “improving safety for all road users.”
Additionally, removing the channelized right turn lanes at the busy intersection, as well as others along Guildford Way, will reduce the number of times pedestrians and cyclists have to cross traffic lanes and even the number of rear-ender collisions between vehicles.
Rahman said to mitigate the effects the changes could have on the flow of traffic, the recommended design concept for the intersection includes additional eastbound left turn lanes from Murray Street onto Ioco Road and a longer left turn storage lane on the westbound side of Guildford. As well adjustments would be made to the timing of the traffic signals.
In his report, Rahman said because Guildford Way is too narrow between Ungless Way and Ioco Road to accommodate protected bike lanes on both its east and westbound sides, a three-metre wide bi-directional lane is being proposed for the north side that would then transition to east and westbound lanes flanking both sides at the Ungless Way intersection.
“While the recommended concept may require some cyclists to cross Guildford Way to access the bidirectional lane, it will provide a safer and more comfortable facility for the majority of users,” Rahman said. “Safe crossing will be provided at intersections for both pedestrians and cyclists.”
Rahman said a dedicated eastbound lane on the south side of Guildford could eventually be built as the area is redeveloped, but “the timeline for this is currently unknown.”
Staff is also recommending a pilot project to extend the bidirectional path across to Murray Street where the curb lane for vehicles would be removed from the entrance to the city’s works yard to Klahanie Drive to relieve a current pinch point on the current configuration caused by the CP Rail crossing. The bidirectional path would then continue along Murray until it connects with the new off-street path at the curve. The existing eastbound bike lane on the south side of Murray would be retained.
The total budget for the project is $2.059 million, of which $1.059 million would be covered by a TransLink grant.
Rahman said staff will continue to pursue additional grant opportunities to help pay for the rest.
At its meeting Oct. 8, Port Moody council voted to defer consideration of the project to a future meeting of the of the city initiatives and planning committee.
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