Money may not be the biggest obstacle in linking two major stretches of the Discovery Trail.
The city is seeking money from the provincial government to help pay for a new pedestrian/cyclist-controlled traffic signal at the Highway 11 intersection with Valley Road. The signal, and trailwork along Valley Road and through Willband Creek Park to Hazelwood Cemetery, would finally connect the central portion of the Discovery Trail with Willband Creek Park and the eastern stretch of the popular trail.
As part of the plan, council gave staff the go-ahead Monday to apply for funding for half the $600,000 cost of the signal.
But Coun. Dave Loewen is doubtful the Ministry of Transportation would ever approve the installation of a signal at Valley Road.
A light currently stops southbound traffic to allow northbound drivers to turn left onto Valley. But Loewen said the province has previously balked at proposals to add a full on-pedestrian-demand signal to the intersection.
Loewen said a crossing for pedestrians is “overdue,” but he said that the proximity to other stoplights is likely to be a problem for the province.
“If I was the Ministry of Transportation, I think I would say no to this,” he told council. “I would be very surprised if they approved it.”
He suggested the city consider rerouting the trail to allow for a crossing at McCallum Road, where there is already a light.
Coun. Les Barkman, though, suggested that another light may be of use in slowing down speeding traffic along the busy corridor.
Staff have put together the proposal to take advantage of a grant opportunity and to see if the ministry will change its mind, Heidi Enns, the city’s general manager of parks, recreation and culture, told council.
And other routing options may be considered if the proposal fails, she suggested.
However, neither an overpass nor an underpass are possible, she said. Overhead wires prohibit the former, while drainage and water issues preclude the latter.