Man’s death sad support for Bridge St. changes

BY NANCY KELLY

Kings County Register



A Kingston intersection referred to as “a disaster waiting to happen” lived up to its dangerous reputation, claiming the life of a Kingston senior just a day after the community met to talk about a local traffic study.

In a cruel and ironic twist, Jack Glydon was one of a handful of area residents who came to the meeting, hosted by CBCL Consultants, to vocalize his concerns about traffic volumes and excessive speed through the village. Twenty-four hours after speaking his mind, the 83-year-old longtime resident of Kingston died as a result of a pedestrian-vehicle collision that occurred around 9 p.m. February 20.

Glyden was struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross at the corner of Main Street and Maple Avenue, a spot he often travelled on his regular walks through the village.

CBCL’s recommendations to improve traffic flow through the Bridge Street corridor did not include the installation of traffic lights at Maple and Main or a change to speed limits in the area. Several who attended the public meeting felt the study didn’t do enough to address safety concerns for pedestrians and drivers.

Doug Beaman, who noted “vehicles are continually exceeding the (50 km) speed limit” by his Bridge Street residence, called for better traffic enforcement.

“Speed is not the issue - a lack of control of the speed limit is the problem.”

Annette Smith, who also lives on Bridge Street, thinks there is “entirely too much traffic” feeding into the Bridge Street corridor and suggested the province and municipality look at constructing a new connector between Kingston and Greenwood.

“Instead of bandaiding the problems on local roads with access guidelines and medians, we need to consider solutions that will allow for more development, not hinder it.”

In response to concerns about truck and tanker traffic traveling the through the villages, several people suggested upgrading the bridge on Glebe Road, east of Kingston, to allow trucks alternate access to Greenwood and the back gate to CFB Greenwood.

Terry Craig was one of many who criticized the intersection of Maple and Main streets.

“Right now, you have to deal with traffic coming from seven different places - and watch for people crossing at the same time,” said Craig.

Kingston village commissioner Scott Peckford agreed with Craig, adding it would only be a matter of time until a serious accident took place at the intersection.

CBCL consultant Mike MacDonald agreed the intersection needs attention, but explained private driveways close to the corner add to the congestion and confusion. He cautioned installing a set of lights would not solve all the issues at the busy intersection.

“Traffic signals won’t fix the problem - and could actually create more,” said MacDonald. He said the co-operation of adjacent property owners would be required for better traffic management, and to improve safety overall.



Kingston/ Greenwood link critical, ‘needs to be protected’

Medians, reconfigured intersections and bump-outs for pedestrian crossings could help ease traffic congestion and improve safety along the Bridge Street corridor from exits 17 and 18 off the 101 Highway through to Argus Drive in Greenwood.

CBCL consultants Mike MacDonald and Chuck Roberts presented draft recommendations for corridor improvements to a public meeting February 19 in Kingston. As part of the study conducted last fall, they met with the three municipal units, RCMP, the fire department and CFB Greenwood. Each group “brought forward issues that people living here face every day,” said MacDonald, adding, “Bridge Street is a critical link for the two villages that needs to be protected.”

CBCL, contracted to “identify cost-effective short and long-term strategies to provide acceptable levels of service over the next 20 years,” suggested improving roadway access management guidelines, upgrading pedestrian crossings, installing a median at Bridge Street and Markland Avenue and removing the current median at Bridge Street and Central Avenue. The construction of pedestrian-only bridges across the Annapolis River was also presented as a cost-effective option to improve safety along the heavily-travelled route.

Traffic data collected indicates key intersections in the two villages are “operating at a 'B' grade level-of-service, or better.” McDonald explained this means there is “relatively low delay and minor queuing” at these intersections.

Analysis at the intersections of Maple and Main and Marshall Road and Main showed traffic signals are not required.

The meeting drew 40 local residents, several of whom offered verbal comments. CBCL solicited further comments by distributing a questionnaire. Comments received at the meeting and gathered through the survey will be included in CBCL’s final report, due in late March.