James Denby says he and his neighbours are worried about increasing numbers of speeding vehicles constantly passing by at the south end of Extension Rd. He estimates 30-40 children live in his sub-division (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

speed demons

‘It’s out of control:’ Cinnabar Valley residents demand Extension Rd. safety improvements

Jul 9, 2020 | 5:48 AM

NANAIMO — James Denby helplessly watches a continual parade of lead-footed drivers zooming by his Extension Rd. home.

Denby, a father of four who’s lived within the southern edge of Nanaimo city limits for nearly four years, said concerns have built in recent months with noticeably more speeding, reckless driving and crashes.

“Numerous times a day there are reckless drivers who don’t abide by the law….all it takes is one little incident with your bike or car, and that car loses control and we lose a kid’s life,” Denby told NanaimoNewsNOW.

A recent alarming crash involving an allegedly impaired and speeding driver heightened worries for Denby and his neighbours. A car missed a corner, hit a curb and launched through the air landing on the front yard of a Swordfern Rd. home at Extension Rd.

The self-employed Denby is home frequently and has compiled daily notes over the past few months documenting excessive speeding and other dangerous driving behaviour.

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He’s kept locally-elected officials updated on what’s referred to as the Extension Rd. Speedway.

“In my last update to mayor Krog and councillors in the subject line it said ‘My weekly update’ and that’s basically what it feels like it is.”

Motorcycles and dirt bike riders going three times the speed limit, even using Extension Rd. sidewalks as make-shift ramps are not uncommon occurences, according to Denby.

He said another problem is northbound Extension Rd. vehicles headed for the highway generating speed on downward slopes toward residential areas, which includes an extended stretch with no sidewalks.

Denby credited Nanaimo RCMP for having what appears to be a stronger local presence lately, but said speed enforcement efforts only go so far.

RCMP media liason officer Cst. Gary O’Brien said Extension Rd. is used by impaired drivers going to and from Nanaimo River, which is part of “spot” enforcement in the area.

“We target that for enforcement, but we also need to hear from neighbours when they have a concern about a particular area,” O’Brien said.

Area resident Jen Rollins, who helped find and contain the allegedly impaired driver in the Swordfern Rd. incident, said three vehicles ended up in the ditch along their stretch of Extension Rd. in the last few months.

“There are so many corners, people cut the corners and there’s the river there,” Rollins said. “It seems there are some intoxicated drivers because they’re driving super slow, weaving in and out of the lane.”

“We know there’s a problem”

The City of Nanaimo’s manager of transportation said he’s well aware of Extension Rd. safety issues.

Jamie Rose confirmed to NanaimoNewsNOW the corridor is being examined in order to improve safety for all road users.

However, due to other transportation priorities, Rose said an immediate fix isn’t expected.

“We’ve got some ambitions in the next five years to make some changes, but we really do need to get into the details of the most appropriate places to make the changes,” Rose said.

It’s likely speed bumps are out of the question, Rose said, since horizontal traffic calming deflections aren’t well suited for major collector roads.

Rose said narrowing portions of Extension Rd. with extended curbs, medians or roundabouts are preferred solutions.

An Extension Rd. traffic count in the spring of 2019 beneath the Inland Island Hwy. overpass indicated 10,000 to 11,000 vehicles passing by daily.

Rose said Extension Rd. is “unique” as a rural-to-residential to highway corridor where some motorists may feel enticed to travel faster than the 50 kilometre per hour speed limit.

He said the ever-changing composition of the Cinnabar/Chase River area is a by-product of a thriving, popular neighbourhood experiencing continued growth, similar to many other areas of the city.

“Nanaimo is growing and as the city grows, there’s more demands on our mobility systems. I think it’s important to understand that when people drive we need them to do so in a safe and respectful manner,” Rose said.

A change.org petition highlights road safety concerns from residents in the Chase River/Cinnabar Valley area, in particular the busy Extension Rd. corridor.

A secondary route in and out of the Cinnabar Valley/Chase River area has long been discussed. Rose said it’s a potential addition in the long-term, but cited access and topography as significant challenges.

— with files from Alex Rawnsley

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes