Dear Editor:
I read the article in the North Shore News April 10 regarding the new traffic calming measures put in place south of Third Street.
We have lived on Second Street for 18 years and the present measures are the worst thought-out actions. The only thing I agree with is the speed bumps in front of the community centre.
In 18 years the only problems we ever had were skateboarders and bicycles failing to stop at St. Andrews’ downhill signs. The whole area was virtually accident free and we hoped none of the disastrous measures implemented west of Lonsdale would befall us.
The city changed St. Georges into a lethal accident zone. Every truck over 20 feet in length at Second and St. Georges turning right north or south is bumped out into the opposing traffic lane. Every dump truck, garbage truck, bus, HandyDart that we have seen turning north invades southbound traffic space.
St. Georges is a secondary artery to our hospital and the fire hall. Why impede vital emergency resource access to our community? Before designing this folly, take a trip around the area with a fire truck.
The traffic circle at Second and St. Patricks is just as dangerous as the circle on St. Andrews at First Street. Whomever put this plan into motion obviously doesn’t drive.
On Second and St. Andrews the stop signs have been reversed. Now the sight restrictions put the vehicle entering the intersection in peril. You can’t see the traffic coming up the hill until you creep into the intersection, which can be shocking when a car suddenly honks its horn.
The city has just fixed a perfectly safe situation and made it more dangerous.
Leo Vanderbyl
North Vancouver
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