DocumentsStaff ReportMar 18, 2019Page 59
Staff Report (Engineering) - Crosswalk Installation on Happy Valley Road at Walfred Road
Engineering staff report proposing installation of a marked and signed crosswalk with pedestrian-controlled flashers at Happy Valley Road and Walfred Road in response to resident requests and pedestrian desire lines.
Key facts
- Recommended installation: marked & signed crosswalk with pedestrian-controlled flashers at Happy Valley Rd & Walfred Rd
- Estimated cost: $27,000; staff to pursue ICBC funding
- Rationale: connection between Galloping Goose Trail and nearby neighbourhoods, pedestrian desire lines, acceptable spacing from other traffic controls
Staff Report (Engineering) - Crosswalk Installation on Happy Valley Road at Walfred Road
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to
Transportation and Public Works Committee
Date: March 12, 2019
Department: Engineering
Subject: Crosswalk Installation on Happy Valley Rd at Walfred Rd
Background
Residents of Walfred Road requested the installation of a crosswalk on Happy Valley Road at Walfred Road, citing the area being well used by pedestrians and cyclists.
Commentary
Happy Valley Road is a busy collector road that splits Walfred Road into a short segment on the west that has a trail connection to Galloping Goose Trail, and a longer corridor to the east undergoing increased density with recent and current developments. As such the crossing at Happy Valley Road and Walfred Road is a logical route for pedestrians and cyclists to take when connecting to the Galloping Goose Trail from the east or vice versa.
This area is also in close proximity to bus stops and to Happy Valley School. With incomplete sidewalk connectivity on the west side of Happy Valley Road, it is reasonable to assume some use of the crossing by students and transit users at peak traffic times.
A warrant for a new crosswalk at this intersection, referring to the TAC Pedestrian Crossing Control Guide Decision Support Tool, indicated that a crosswalk is warranted due to the combination of:
- the location being on pedestrian desire lines;
- being a logical connection between the major trail network of the Galloping Goose and the neighbourhoods off Walfred Road east of Happy Valley Road, and;
- being at an acceptable distance from the next nearest traffic control device at Happy Valley Road and Sooke Road.
The intersection of Happy Valley Road and Walfred Road is atypical in that the two segments of Walfred Road are offset from one another (see Figure 1 below). Rather than attempting a non-traditional diagonal crossing to directly connect one corner to another, staff are suggesting installing the crosswalk a short distance (7-10 m) to the northeast of the intersection. This recommendation is in keeping with a