The Town of Innisfail will not add a centre median at the 50th Street and 49th Avenue intersection during Phase 2 of downtown revitalization this summer.
A motion to keep the median included in the project was defeated during town council's regular meeting on May 27. Administration brought the item before council to ask for direction after hearing concerns about possible disadvantages.
The median was included in the downtown revitalization project to provide lane definition by a physical barrier, to discourage larger vehicles from entry into the downtown core, to slow traffic down, and to change the nature of a street from a highway (four lanes) to a pedestrian area. However, there are concerns about the traffic pattern, the difficulty of longer vehicle and trailer combinations to navigate the intersection, challenges for public works to maintain the intersection with sweeping and snow removal and the requirement of a yellow curb for advanced notification, said Barry Baker, director of operational services.
The town stands to save about $3,000 by replacing the barrier with asphalt. The construction and installation of the median was budgeted at just over $4,000.
“Note, these items could also be added at a future date although it may come at an increase in price,” Baker said.
The mayor and each councillor took the opportunity to weigh in on the matter during the discussion, but when it came to a vote only Coun. Jason Heistad was in favour of keeping the median included in the project.
Heistad said the intent was to slow down traffic and to attract people to the downtown core. Larger trucks don't belong in that area, he said.
“I'm in favour of the median.”
Coun. Brian Spiller said he was opposed because of the difficulty of large vehicles and possible problems with snow clearing. He said he felt the disadvantages outweighed the advantages.
“I don't think it's necessary.”
“I am also going to vote against this because I sat there for three hours and watched the traffic flow,” Coun. Derek Baird said.
“I won't be supporting the motion for all of the same reasons previously stated,” Coun. Tracey Walker said.
Coun. Heather Taylor said she would prefer to have the median installed, but said it wasn't worth it if it was going to cause problems with snow removal.
Coun. Mark Kemball waited until the final vote took place to make a decision.
“I think aesthetically it is pleasing. I just like the way it looks, but I also share the same concerns as my counterparts across the table,” he said.
“I certainly know the people that planned that and their rationale for doing that, but I think right now we are not ready for it. Maybe sometime in the future,” Mayor Jim Romane said.
