Port Moody Approves $140,000 Traffic-Calming Measures for Student Safety

Port Moody city council has unanimously approved a pilot project aimed at enhancing student safety on Upper Noons Creek Drive. On September 16, 2023, the council allocated $140,000 for a one-year initiative that will implement various traffic-calming measures. This decision follows prolonged community advocacy for safer conditions along a corridor that serves as a key route for students attending Mountain Meadows Elementary.

The pilot project will introduce several safety features, including pedestrian-activated flashing beacons, lane narrowings, flexible post delineators, and a speed-reader board. Mayor Meghan Lahti expressed gratitude to the community for their patience, emphasizing the importance of addressing safety concerns in the area, particularly given its proximity to the elementary school. “I think this is an important part of safety in this area, especially as it’s adjacent to an elementary school, and it’s really important we move on to some solution,” she stated.

Upper Noons Creek Drive has long been a source of frustration for residents. The steep collector road connects Port Moody’s Inlet Centre neighbourhood to Coquitlam’s Westwood Plateau and sees heavy traffic, with approximately 3,250 vehicles passing by daily, often at speeds significantly above the posted limit of 30 kilometres per hour. According to city staff, 85 percent of drivers exceed this limit, with many travelling at 50 kilometres per hour on either side of the street and 40 kilometres per hour in front of the school.

Concerns about speeding, blind corners, and increased congestion during school drop-off times have prompted the city to explore traffic calming solutions since the early 2000s. A pilot project was recommended in the 2017 Master Transportation Plan as an effective way to address these issues.

Councillor Diana Dilworth, a long-time resident of the area, highlighted that the neighbourhood was not designed to handle the current traffic loads. “Noons Creek never used to go through to anywhere, it just stopped,” she noted. The opening of a connection to David Avenue has led to a significant increase in traffic.

As part of the pilot design, the city has prioritized pedestrian safety while considering the geographical challenges of the corridor. Traditional speed humps and raised crosswalks have been ruled out due to steep grades exceeding 8 percent. Instead, the plan focuses on visual aids and modifications to crossing points. Nearly half of the pilot budget is allocated for the beacons, which will cost approximately $45,000 for supply and installation.

During the council meeting, Councillor Callan Morrison emphasized the high level of community engagement, stating that the feedback received was significant. He noted that the number of responses—between 160 and 170—was impressive, particularly for a specific area, as it often matches the total responses for city-wide initiatives. Councillor Amy Lubik echoed this sentiment, praising the strong community support and the enthusiasm from the Transportation Committee.

Though the council supports the introduction of flashing beacons and new crosswalks, some members raised concerns about the potential removal of the existing three-way stop. Councillor Dilworth cautioned that this change could lead to confusion among drivers, emphasizing the need for public education about the new traffic patterns. “While there’s no longer a three-way stop here, that doesn’t mean you get to blare through,” she remarked.

Councillor Samantha Agtarap also stressed the importance of viewing the pilot as a continuous improvement project. “I think this is an important part of safety in this area, especially as it’s adjacent to an elementary school, and it’s really important we move on to some solution,” she said.

The total cost of the construction is estimated at $100,000, with a 40 percent contingency included. Funding will come from $30,000 remaining in the 2023 traffic calming budget, $60,000 from the 2024 budget, and $50,000 from the 2025 budget. City staff plan to report back after one year with traffic data and community feedback, assessing the effectiveness of the measures implemented.