Traffic calming measures on Extension Rd. will proceed, but be phased instead of all at once as a result of rising costs and budget discussions. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

budget call

Extension Rd. traffic calming measures set for phased approach

Nov 27, 2023 | 2:25 PM

NANAIMO — Rising costs are adjusting how implementing long-sought-after traffic calming in the south end will play out.

Councillors opted to phase construction of several road enhancements on Extension Rd. to curb speeding vehicles, during a governance and priorities committee meeting on Monday, Nov. 27.

Final approval will come at a future Council meeting involving $200,000 worth of work to get underway almost immediately, with the balance to form part of a 2024 budget discussion.

“The first phase of the project we can get started with, and if there’s an ability to commit some funds over the next week or two to the next phases in 2024, we’ll get to those later,” Bill Sims, general manager of engineering and public works, said at the meeting.

Managing traffic flows for Chase River Elementary School, in addition to access in and out for Nanaimo Fire Rescue crews helped influence plans for north Extension Rd. Further upgrades are also scheduled up the hill. (City of Nanaimo)

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Approved in mid-July, intersection narrowing, crosswalk improvements and speed reading signs in school zones are all slated for installation.

A study in April 2023 showed the predominant speed of vehicular traffic on Extension Rd., with a posted 50 kilometre per hour speed limit, was 63 kilometres per hour.

City equipment also recorded a vehicle travelling nearly 130 kilometres per hour on a Friday night.

Funds totalling $200,000 were budgeted for 2023, while the projected balance is roughly $120,000 and will be included in scheduled budget discussions on Friday, Dec. 1.

Councillors had the option of using reserve funding to cover the balance, however doing so could have impacted projects already slated to be considered in the same budget talks.

City director of finance Laura Mercer said the estimated 2024 year-end balance in the Strategic Infrastructure Reserve (SIR) fund was $1.7 million.

“We do have some decision items that’ll come up on Friday that have the SIR as a possible funding source, so we didn’t want to draw it down too much in order to still have funds left in that reserve to fund initiatives that come up throughout the year.”

Data from an earlier study of Extension Rd. mirrored results found in April 2023, showing traffic going well over the posted 50 kilometre per hour speed limit (NanaimoNewsNOW illustration)

Councillors also discussed general traffic calming measures across the city during their Monday meeting.

Completed upgrades to Lost Lake Rd., similar to those set to be installed along Extension Rd., saw some reduction in vehicle speeds.

Residents in the north Nanaimo neighbourhood were overwhelmingly opposed to additional measures with only 27 per cent saying they wanted more traffic calming features.

City staff also presented a list of 41 projects identified, via public feedback or other measures, for traffic calming.

Two are currently in a data collection phase, while 10 more locations are being considered including Bay St., Howard Ave., Seventh St. and Nanaimo Lakes Rd.

Twenty-four areas were deemed to not require traffic calming as either vehicle speeds or volumes did not meet threshold for the measures to be effective.

Projects in a holding pattern now include Vancouver Ave. as well as sections of Brickyard Rd. and Westwood Rd.

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