A troublesome section of road in St. John’s is scheduled for renovation to enhance safety. Kelsey Drive, situated near bustling Kenmount Road, has long been a concern for both drivers and pedestrians.
In a recent collision report covering 2018-2022 data, the city highlighted the Kelsey Drive and Kiwanis Street intersection as ranking seventh in collision rate. Additionally, this same intersection topped the list for collision frequency at mid-block segments, which are crossings located between intersections.
Sheila Whalen, a resident from the Conception Bay North area, expressed her discomfort with driving in this area while shopping at the Walmart on Kelsey Drive. She described it as overwhelming and congested, particularly for older individuals navigating the area.
The city announced upcoming construction at the Kelsey Drive intersection, along with Thorburn Road and Goldstone Street. Currently, there are limited pedestrian crossings in the Kelsey Drive vicinity, leading people to risk crossing five lanes of traffic instead of taking a longer route to the Kiwanis Street crosswalk.
To address safety concerns, the city plans to install new traffic and pedestrian signals at key intersections and add a median at specific access points to facilitate right-turn-only movements for vehicles. The project, costing $2.43 million and funded by the federal government, is expected to finish by December, causing temporary traffic disruptions during construction.
Councilor Kate Cadigan emphasized the importance of enhancing safety in the busy commercial area and welcomed the positive upgrades to the region. The initiative aims to curb unsafe driving practices and improve pedestrian infrastructure in the area, benefiting both residents and visitors alike.