WHITEHORSE, YT – Following a public engagement session on the intersections of Range Road, the Alaska Highway, and Hamilton Boulevard along Two-Mile Hill, the city is developing plan of action based on what they heard.
Respondents to the survey indicted that traffic flow, unsafe driving conditions, and a lack of active transportation infrastructure were their primary concerns at the intersections.
The City heard that poor synchronization of traffic lights had been compounding the existing traffic congestion during peak hours, leading to long wait times for drivers at the intersections and spurring some motorists to engage in unsafe driving and risky maneuvers like running red and yellow lights, or rushing through the intersection at high speeds.
Respondents also indicated that both intersections were confusing and felt unsafe for left turning vehicles. Those who travel by active transportation options also pointed out a lack of safe crosswalks, no dedicated bike lanes, and long crossing distances for pedestrians.
Two design options are currently on the table, Option A involves reworking of the existing intersection of Hamilton Boulevard and the Alaska Highway to add more dedicated left turn lanes and improved sight lines for right turning traffic, as well as to encourage slower speeds and add more crosswalks. Option B is a two lane roundabout that will replace the current intersection of the Alaska Highway and Hamilton Boulevard, complete with extra crosswalks and traffic calming measures.
The next milestone for the HART Combined Intersection Upgrades Project will be settling on a preferred design option, which should be determined by May, after which a third round of public engagement will take place in June before the designed in finalized.
